The Contact Potential Between the Solid and Liquid Phases of Bismuth

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Abstract
Contact potential between the solid and liquid phases of bismuth.—In order to obtain as gas-free metal as possible, the bismuth was distilled into the highly exhausted apparatus. The contact potential was measured, by the standard Kelvin method, against a copper plate whose absolute potential was maintained constant by protecting it from the temperature changes incident to melting and solidifying the bismuth. The results were remarkably free from disturbing factors which arise from residual gas effects. Solid bismuth was found to be of the order of -0.020 volts with respect to the molten metal. Small variations from this value were caused, presumably, by the chance crystalline state of the solid surface.