XXXIII.The theory of electrolytic polarization

Synopsis C p designates the polarization capacity, R p the polarization resistance, and ψ the phase angle defined by tan ψ = C p ωR p (ω: angular frequency of alternating current). V(x)dq represents the value of the counter-electromotive force x seconds after a quantity dq of electricity has passed through the electrolytic cell. The following equations are derived: Thus, when C p varies inversely as the mth power of the frequency the phase angle ψ is constant and its value stated by equation (6). For many electrodes, C p varies inversely as a power of the frequency, at all frequencies, or over an extended frequency range. For such electrodes equation (6) is found to represent the experimental findings with satisfactory accuracy. Relationships derived from the theories of Warburg and Krüger are represented by equation (6) as special cases. Surveying existing experimental data, it is found that equation (6) generally holds quite closely even when m, is not independent of the frequency.