Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1798. Excerpt: ... Chap. 6. 345 1 Chap. Vs. OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING, METEORS, WATER-SPOUTS, &c. Theory of Lighning.r--Description os a Thunder Storm.--Obstructions relative to the Electricity of the Atmosphere.--Melting of Metals by the Cold Fusion a-vulgar Error.--Conduilors of Lightning.--How to be safe in a Thunder Storm---Application of Electricity to other atmospherical Phenomena.--Rain.--Hail.--SntrM.--Meteors.--Wa" ter-spouis. If no longer remains a doubt among philosophers, that the cause which produces the effects of thunder is the fame with that which produces the ordinaryphenomena of electricity; the resemblance between them is indeed so great, that we cannot believe thunder itself to be any other than a grander species of electricity, naturaliy excited without th? seeble efforts of human art. This fluid, probably, is diffused through the whole atmofphere at all times, either in a smaller or greater degree, and is occasionally perceptible to our senses, according to the concurrence of natural circumstances. The cloud which produces the thunder and lightning may be considered as a great electrified body t but how has the cloud acquired its electric virtue? is the reasonable demand of an inquisitive mind: and to fatisfy this inquiry it will be necessary to reser to what has been before observed, that this power is produced in two modes, by friction, and by communication. Bodies electrified by friction communicate 346 How Clouds become ekSlrisied. Book IV. their virtue to other bodies which are susceptible of it, being insulated, and at a convenient distance. As air, therefore, is an idio-electric body, it is not unphilofophical to suppose, that in stormy weather especially, when it is common to observe the clouds and the wind take contrary courses, a part of the ...
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1790-1853
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