Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The rise of magnetochemistry from Ritter to Hurmuzescu

  • Published:
Foundations of Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the early history of magnetochemistry: the search for chemical effects of magnetism in the nineteenth century. Some early researchers, such as Johann Wilhelm Ritter, attempted to reproduce with magnets the effects that had been produced by electricity and Volta’s battery. For several decades, researchers successively reported positive results and denied claims concerning the effect of magnetism in oxidation, electrolysis, reduction of metals from saline solutions, crystallisation, change of colour of vegetable tinctures and other chemical reactions. In the two last decades of the nineteenth century some effects were accepted as real, and a thermodynamic theory of the influence of magnetic fields upon chemical reactions was developed. Finally, Dragomir Hurmuzescu was able to create reproducible experiments and measured the electromotive force between two electrodes, with or without the presence of magnetic fields, confirming the existence of the phenomenon and obtaining results compatible with the theoretical predictions. Afterwards, this magnetochemical effect was accepted as real, but the effect was weak and its practical importance was negligible. The subject was gradually forgotten.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. No papers on this subject have been found in the database of the History of Science Society. Books on the history of chemistry, such as Partington’s History of chemistry, do not mention the search for chemical effects of magnetism in the nineteenth century. In recent books, such as Meyer’s A history of electricity and magnetism or Electrochemistry, past and present by Stock and Orna, there is also no information about this episode (Partington 1961–1970; Meyer 1971; Stock and Orna 1989). A very short and incomplete historical account is presented by Perov et al. (2004), beginning in 1881.

  2. One can still find a description of this subject in Bhatnagar and Mathur’s textbook, Physical principles and applications of magnetochemistry (1935), but Pierce Selwood’s Magnetochemistry (1956) does not describe this phenomenon. During the largest part of the twentieth century, the subject was forgotten. Some influences of magnetic fields on chemical reactions have been recently studied, but there is no general agreement about the phenomena and their explanation (Fahidy 1983, 1990, 1999; Tacken and Janssen 1995; Waskaas 1996; Yamamoto et al. 1996, 1999; Debos et al. 2000; Hinds et al. 2002; Perov et al. 2002, 2004; Lu et al. 2003, 2005; Coey 2003; Rhen et al. 2004; Alemany and Chopart, 2007; Koza et al. 2008; Lu and Yang 2008).

  3. Dan Christensen presented a very able general account of the relationship between Ørsted and Ritter (Christensen 1995). I described in a detailed way their collaboration concerning magnetochemistry and other related subjects, as well the influence of Naturphilosophie in their thought (Martins 2007).

  4. The decomposition of water by a voltaic pile was discovered in 1800 by William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle, but Ritter independently had also discovered the same effect (Motelay 1922, p. 335).

  5. In 1822 Maschmann had already suggested that the magnetic field of the Earth could have some influence upon geological structures: “We do not know where those observations will lead us; but I have some reasons to believe that the geologist who follows those researches could in time find out how metals are formed in Nature’s workshop” (Maschmann 1822, p. 239). In his second paper (Hunt 1846b) Hunt referred to the French translation of Maschmann’s paper, and it is likely that this paper provided the starting point of his researches.

  6. Many years later, commenting another similar experiment made by Fossati, Morris Loeb remarked: “I fail to see any significance in the experiment of placing one of two gas-voltameters, or one of two cells containing an iron solution, in a magnetic field, and looking for a difference in the amount of decomposition when a current is passed through the couple in series. Surely no such result could be expected in the face of the universally acknowledged Law of Faraday, unless, indeed, a magnetic field were imagined to alter the quantivalence of the elements” (Loeb 1891, p. 147).

  7. Ten years later Ira Remsen put his laboratory notebooks at the disposal of F. A. Wolff, remarking that “the results have been disappointing […] my direct interest in the matter having long since ceased” (Wolff 1895, p. 133, footnote by Ira Remsen).

  8. It seems that Gross did not remark that the magnetic potential energy of a piece of iron close to a magnet is negative.

  9. The opposite was observed, however, when sulphydric acid and hydrochloric acid were used.

  10. In some circumstances, when iron is immersed in concentrated nitric acid, it does not exhibit any reaction and becomes afterward protected from rusting. According to Andrews, this phenomenon was discovered in 1790 by Keir, who communicated it to the Royal Society (Andrews 1890, p. 117).

  11. The method used by Rowland and Bell was different from that of Nichols and Franklin. The later measured the electromotive force after the galvanometer attained a steady position—and that occurred only some time after the magnetic field was turned on. Rowland and Bell measured the effect immediately after the magnetic field was turned on.

  12. Nichols attempted to use cobalt and nickel electrodes, but the observed effects were very small.

  13. Of course, the two bismuth electrodes are not in direct contact, but Grimaldi probably assumed that the intermediate conductor (the wire connecting the two electrodes to the galvanometer, and the wire inside the galvanometer) produced no net effect.

  14. The results presented in this paper were first presented by Wolff in his Ph.D. thesis, in June 1893.

  15. Dragomir Hurmuzescu (1865–1954) was a student of Gabriel Lippmann and obtained his Ph.D. in Paris, in 1896. Afterward he returned to his country, where he was professor of the University of Jassy from 1897 to 1913. From this year to 1937 he was professor of the University of Bukarest.

  16. Only the field produced by the electromagnet was measured. The field on the electrode could be slightly different.

  17. In this case, the divergence of the magnetic field close to the surface of the electrode was expected to be very small or null, and the magnetic field should produce no attraction of magnetic salts toward the free surface of the electrode.

  18. This quantity is not constant: it depends on the magnetic field applied to the metal. However, for weak magnetic fields it may be regarded as a constant.

  19. Hurmuzescu knew that magnetisation changes the volume of magnetic solids and liquids. Hence, there is a mechanical work related to magnetisation. In a later paper (Hurmuzescu 1897–1898), he measured this effect and developed a more complete theoretical analysis of the phenomenon.

  20. It is well known that sometimes an effect can only be reproduced in one single laboratory, by people who obtained their training under the same supervisor.

  21. This notice was reproduced in a number of journals: Aus dem Intelligenzblatte der Allgem. Litterat. Zeit. Den 5ten Febr. 1806. Annalen der Physik 22: 223–224, 1806; Extract of a letter to professor Pictet, from a Correspondent at Munich, upon some galvanico-magnetic experiments recently made by M. Ritter. Philosophical Magazine 25: 368–369, 1806; Estrato d’una lettera scritta da Monaco in Baviera al Sig. Prof. Picted di Ginevra su alcuni sperimenti galvanico-magentici fatti recentemente dal Sig. Prof. Ritter. Nuova Scelta d’Opuscoli 1: 334–336, 1806.

  22. This paper was translated into German as: Versuche und Beobachtungen über einige chemische Wirkungen der galvanischen Electricität. Annalen der Physik 6: 360–368, 1800.

  23. This was Duhem’s PhD thesis. It was also published in book form: Théorie nouvelle de l’aimantation par influence fondée sur la thermodynamique. Paris, Gauthier-Villars, 1888.

  24. This periodical had two different titles. It was also called Jahrbuch der Chemie und Physik, from volume 30 onwards (with a new numbering of the volumes). Journal für Chemie und Physik 56 corresponded to Jahrbuch der Chemie und Physik 26.

  25. This is a short account of Erdman’s paper in the Bibliothèque Universelle.

  26. A short abstract of this paper was published as: Sopra una corrente galvanica ottenuta col bismuto in un campo magnetico. Nota preliminare. Atti della Reale Accademia dei Lincei, Rendiconti 5 (sem. 1): 28–29, 1889. Reproduced in: Il Nuovo Cimento 25: 191, 1889.

  27. Hurmuzescu himself presented a wrong reference for this article (vol. 5, p. 119) in a later paper (Hurmuzescu, 1900, p. 562). The wrong reference was reproduced by several authors.

  28. The same work was also published as: Force electromotrice d’aimantation. Annales Scientifiques de l’Université de Jassy 1: 5–14, 1900–1901.

  29. A translation was published in Nicholson’s Journal: Experiments on magnetism; by Mr. Ritter, of Jena. Communicated by Dr. Orsted, of Copenhagen. A Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and the Arts [2] 8: 184–186, 1804.

  30. Ørsted’s paper was reproduced in the Journal für Chemie und Physik 29: 275–281, 1820. It was reprinted in LARSEN, A. (ed.). The discovery of electromagnetism made in the year 1820 by H. C. Oersted. Copenhagen, 1920. This book also contains facsimile reprints of early translations (German, French, English, Italian) of Ørsted’s work.

  31. This paper is an abstract of Paillot’s PhD thesis: Recherches sur les forces électromotrices d’aimantation. Lille: I. Danel, 1901.

  32. This paper was also published in American Journal of Science [3] 36: 39–47, 1888.

  33. This paper was also published in the London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Magazine [5] 35: 473–489, 1893.

References

  • Alemany, A., Chopart, J.-P.: An outline of magnetoelectrochemistry. In: Molokov, S., Moreau, R., Moffatt, K. (eds.) Magnetohydrodynamics: Historical Evolution and Trends, pp. 391–407. Springer, New York (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, T.: Electro-chemical effects on magnetising iron. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 42, 459–469 (1887)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, T.: Electro-chemical effects on magnetising iron. Part II. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 44, 151–168 (1888)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, T.: Electro-chemical effects on magnetising iron. Part III. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 46, 176–193 (1889)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, T.: The passive state of iron and steel. Part I. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 48, 116–126 (1890)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, T.: Electro-chemical effects on magnetising iron. Part IV. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 52, 114–117 (1892)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous: Extrait d’une lettre écrite de Munich au Prof. Pictet sur quelques expériences galvanico-magnétiques, faites récémment par Mr. Ritter. Bibliothèque Britannique, ou Recueil. Sciences et Arts 31, 97–100 (1806)Footnote

    This notice was reproduced in a number of journals: Aus dem Intelligenzblatte der Allgem. Litterat. Zeit. Den 5ten Febr. 1806. Annalen der Physik 22: 223–224, 1806; Extract of a letter to professor Pictet, from a Correspondent at Munich, upon some galvanico-magnetic experiments recently made by M. Ritter. Philosophical Magazine 25: 368–369, 1806; Estrato d’una lettera scritta da Monaco in Baviera al Sig. Prof. Picted di Ginevra su alcuni sperimenti galvanico-magentici fatti recentemente dal Sig. Prof. Ritter. Nuova Scelta d’Opuscoli 1: 334–336, 1806.

  • Arnim, L.A.: Ideen zu einer Theorie des Magneten. Annalen der Physik 3, 48–64 (1800)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnim, L.A.: Bemerkungen über Volta’s Säule. Annalen der Physik 8, 163–196, 257–284 (1801)

  • B. M.: Observations on Mr. Murray’s paper on the decomposition of metallic salts by the magnet. Ann. Phil. 2(3), 39–41 (1822a)

  • B. M.: An answer to Mr. Murray’s “Reply”. Ann. Phil. 2(3), 384–385 (1822b)

  • Becquerel, A.C.: Traité expérimental de l’électricité et du magnétisme et de leurs rapports avec les phénomènes naturels, 7 vols. Firmin Didot, Paris (1834–1840)

  • Berzelius, J.J.: Jahresbericht über die Fortschritte der physischen Wissenschaften, 30 vols. H. Laupp, Tübingen (1822–1851)

  • Bhatnagar, S.S., Mathur, K.N.: Physical Principles and Applications of Magnetochemistry. MacMillan, London (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, D.C.: The Ørsted-Ritter partnership and the birth of Romantic natural philosophy. Ann. Sci. 52, 153–185 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coey, J.M.D.: Magnetoelectrochemistry. Europhys. News 34, 246–248 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colardeau, É.: Influence du magnétisme sur les réactions chimiques. Journal de Physique Théorique et Appliqué 2(6), 129–133 (1887)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cruickshank, W.: Some experiments and observations on galvanic electricity.Footnote

    This paper was translated into German as: Versuche und Beobachtungen über einige chemische Wirkungen der galvanischen Electricität. Annalen der Physik 6: 360–368, 1800.

    J. Nat. Phil. Chem. Arts 1(4), 187–191 (1801)

  • Debos, O., Aaboubi, O., Chopart, J.-P., Olivier, A., Gabrielli, C., Tribollet, B.: Is there a magnetic field effect on electrochemical kinetics? J. Phys. Chem. A 104, 1544–1548 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duhem, P.: De l’aimantation par influence.Footnote

    This was Duhem’s PhD thesis. It was also published in book form: Théorie nouvelle de l’aimantation par influence fondée sur la thermodynamique. Paris, Gauthier-Villars, 1888.

    Annales de la Faculté des Sciences de Toulouse pour les Sciences Mathématiques et les Sciences Physiques, 2, L.1–L.138 (1888)

  • Dulk, F.P.: Ueber die chemische Einwirkung des Magnetismus. Archiv für die gesammte Naturlehre 6, 457–467 (1825)

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdmann, O.L.: Versuche über den angeblichen Einfluss des Magnetismus auf chemische Wirkungen und auf den Krystallisationsprocess. Journal für Chemie und PhysikFootnote

    This periodical had two different titles. It was also called Jahrbuch der Chemie und Physik, from volume 30 onwards (with a new numbering of the volumes). Journal für Chemie und Physik 56 corresponded to Jahrbuch der Chemie und Physik 26.

    56, 24–53 (1829a)

  • Erdmann, O.L.: Expériences sur l’influence présumée du magnétisme sur les effets chimiques et la marche de la cristallisation. Bibliothèque Universelle des Sciences, des Belles-Lettres et Arts, Sciences et Arts 42, 96–103 (1829b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdmann, O.L.: Ueber das merkwürdige elektrochemiche Verhalten der Salpetersäure und der salpetersauren Silver auflösung zu metallischem Eisen. Journal für Chemie und Physik, 57, 23–25, 121–125 (1829c)

  • Erdmann, O.L.: On the supposed influence of magnetism in the phenomena of chemical combinations and crystallizations.Footnote

    This is a short account of Erdman’s paper in the Bibliothèque Universelle.

    Am. J. Sci. Arts 18, 395–397 (1830)

  • Erman, P.: Beiträge über electrisch-geographische Polarität, permanente electrische Ladung, und magnetisch-chemische Wirkungen. Annalen der Physik 26, 1–35, 121–145 (1807)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahidy, T.Z.: Magnetoelectrolysis. J. Appl. Electrochem. 13, 553–563 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahidy, T.Z.: The statistical indeterminacy of the magnetic field effect on electrolytic mass transfer. Electrochim. Acta 35, 929–932 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahidy, T.Z.: The effect of magnetic fields on electrochemical processes. In: Conway, B.E., Bockris, J.O.M., White, R.E. (eds.) Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry, vol. 32, pp. 333–354. Kluwer, New York (1999)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fresnel, A.: Note sur des essais ayant pour but de décomposer l’eau avec un aimant. Annales de Chimie et de Physique 15, 219–222 (1820)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gmelin, L.: Handbook of Chemistry (trans: Watts, H.), 18 vols. plus index. Cavendish Society, London (1848–1872)

  • Grimaldi, G.P.: Studio sulla corrente galvanomagnetica nel bismuto.Footnote

    A short abstract of this paper was published as: Sopra una corrente galvanica ottenuta col bismuto in un campo magnetico. Nota preliminare. Atti della Reale Accademia dei Lincei, Rendiconti 5 (sem. 1): 28–29, 1889. Reproduced in: Il Nuovo Cimento 25: 191, 1889.

    Atti della Reale Accademia dei Lincei, Memorie 4(6), 162–195 (1889)

  • Gross, T.: Ueber eine neue Entstehungsweise gavanischer Ströme durch Magnetismus. Verhandlungen der physikalischen Gesellschaf in Berlin 4, 33–41 (1885a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, T.: Ueber eine neue Entstehungsweise galvanischer Ströme durch Magnetismus. Sitzungsberichte der mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Classe der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Wien 2(92), 1373–1391 (1885b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, T.: Ueber die Verbindugsewärme des magnetisirte Eisens. Verhandlungen der physikalischen Gesellschaf in Berlin 6, 45–53 (1887a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, T.: Ueber den elektrischen Zustand der Magnete bei ihrer Magnetisirung. Verhandlungen der physikalischen Gesellschaf in Berlin 6, 73–82 (1887b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hacking, I.: Representing and Intervening. Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1983)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hansteen, C.: Wiederholung und bestätigung der Versuche durch Hrn. Prof. Hansteen. Annalen der Physik 70, 239–242 (1822)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinds, G., Rhen, F.M.F., Coey, J.M.D.: Magnetic field effect on the rest potential of ferromagnetic electrodes. IEEE Trans. Magn. 38, 3216–3218 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humboldt, F. A.: Versuche über die gereizte Muskel- und Nervenfaser, nebst Vermuthungen über den chemischen Process des Lebens in der Thier- und Pflanzenwelt, vol. 2, Decker und Compagnie, Posen (1797)

  • Hunt, R.: The influence of magnetism on molecular arrangement. Lond. Edinb. Dublin Phil. Mag. 3(28), 1–5 (1846a) [Reproduced in J. Frankl. Inst. 3(11), 202–206

  • Hunt, R.: Researches on the influence of magnetism and Voltaic electricity, on crystallization, and other conditions of matter. Memoirs Geol. Surv. G. B. Mus. Econ. Geol. Lond. 1, 433–459 (1846)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, R.: On the supposed influence of magnetism on chemical action. Lond. Edinb. Dublin Phil. Mag. 3(32), 252–256 (1848)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurmuzescu, D.: Force électromotrice d’aimantation. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sciences de Paris 119, 1006–1008 (1894)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurmuzescu, D.: Force électromotrice d’aimantation. Journal de Physique Théorique et Appliqué 3(4), 118–127 (1895)Footnote

    Hurmuzescu himself presented a wrong reference for this article (vol. 5, p. 119) in a later paper (Hurmuzescu, 1900, p. 562). The wrong reference was reproduced by several authors.

  • Hurmuzescu, D.: Sur les modifications mécaniques, physiques et chimiques qu’éprouvent les différents corps par l’aimantation. Archives des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles, 4(4), 431–438, 540–545; 5, 27–53 (1897–1898)

  • Hurmuzescu, D.: Les modifications physiques dues a l’aimantation.Footnote

    The same work was also published as: Force electromotrice d’aimantation. Annales Scientifiques de l’Université de Jassy 1: 5–14, 1900–1901.

    In: Rapports Présentés au Congrès International de Physique Réuni a Paris en 1900, vol. 2, pp. 557–567 (1900)

  • Janet, P.: De l’influence du magnétisme sur les phénomènes chimiques. Journal de Physique Théorique et Appliqué 2(6), 286–288 (1887)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janet, P.: Sur la chaleur de combination du fer dans un champ magnétique et sur les phénomènes thermomagnétiques. Journal de Physique Théorique et Appliqué 2(8), 312–318 (1889)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kastner, K.W.G.: Chemische Gegenwirkung des magnetischen Eisens. Nachtrag zum Vorhergehenden. Archiv für die gesammte Naturlehre 15, 336–344 (1828)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirwan, R.: Thoughts on magnetism. J. Nat. Phil. Chem. Arts, 1(4), 90–94, 133–135 (1801)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koza, J., Uhlemann, M., Gebert, A., Schultz, L.: The effect of magnetic fields on the electrodeposition of iron. J. Solid State Electrochem. 12, 181–192 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lala, U., Fournier, A.: Influence de l’aimantation sur les forces électromotrices des piles dont le fer est un des éléments. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sciences de Paris 123, 801–802 (1896)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehot, M.: M. Lehot adresse une lettre relative à l’expérience dont M. Fresnel a rendu compte à l’Académie dans la dernière séance. Annales de Chimie et de Physique 2(15), 406–408 (1820)

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeb, M.: Is chemical action affected by magnetism? Am. Chem. J. 13, 145–153 (1891)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, Z., Yang, W.: In situ monitoring the effects of a magnetic field on the open-circuit corrosion states of iron in acidic and neutral solutions. Corros. Sci. 50, 510–522 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, Z., Huang, D., Yang, W., Congleton, J.: Effects of an applied magnetic field on the dissolution and passivation of iron in sulphuric acid. Corros. Sci. 45, 2233–2249 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, Z., Huang, D., Yang, W.: Probing into the effects of a magnetic field on the electrode processes of iron in sulphuric acid solutions with dichromate based on the fundamental electrochemistry kinetics. Corros. Sci. 47, 1471–1492 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lüdicke, M.A.F.: Versuche mit einer magnetischen Batterie. Annalen der Physik 9, 375–378 (1801)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lüdicke, M.A.F.: Fortsetzung der Versuche mit verbundnen Magnetstählen, und ein paar Bemerkungen zu Volta’s Säule. Annalen der Physik 11, 114–119 (1802)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, R.A.: Ørsted, Ritter and magnetochemistry. In: Brain, R.M., Cohen, R.S., Knudsen, O. (eds.) Hans Christian Ørsted and the Romantic Legacy in Science, Ideas, Disciplines, Practices. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 241, pp. 339–385 Springer, New York (2007)

  • Maschmann, H.H.: Einwirkung des Erdmagnetismus auf Auscheidung des Silbers. Annalen der Physik 70, 234–239 (1822)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maschmann, H.H.: Effets du magnétisme terestre sur la précipitation de l’argent, observés par M. Muschman [sic]. Annales de Chimie et Physique 38, 201–205 (1828a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maschmann, H.H.: Effect of magnetism on the precipitation of silver. Q. J. Sci. 26, 429–431 (1828b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, H.W.: A History of Electricity and Magnetism. MIT Press, Cambridge (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Motelay, P.F.: Bibliographical History of Electricity and Magnetism. Charles Griffin, London (1922)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, J.: On the decomposition of metallic salts by the magnet. Lond. Edinb. Dublin Phil. Mag. 58, 380–382 (1821)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, J.: Reply to B. M. Ann. Phil. 2(3), 121–123 (1822)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, E.L.: A preliminary note on the action of acids on iron in the magnetic field. Proc. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 33, 134–135 (1884)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, E.L.: On the chemical behaviour of iron in the magnetic field. Am. J. Sci. 3(31), 272–283 (1886)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, E.L., Franklin, W.S.: On the destruction of the passivity of iron in nitric acid by magnetization. Am. J. Sci. 3(34), 419–427 (1887)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, E.L., Franklin, W.S.: The electromotive force of magnetization. Am. J. Sci. 3(35), 290–297 (1888)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, W.: Scientific news. J. Nat. Phil. Chem. Arts 2(1), 234–236 (1802)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ørsted, H.C.: Expériences de Ritter, analysées par M. OErsted. Annales de Chimie et de Physique 38, 197–200 (1828)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ørsted, H.C.: Expériences sur le magnétisme, par M. Riter, à Jéna, communiquées par Orsted, docteur à l’université de Copenhagen. Journal de Physique, de Chimie, d’Histoire Naturelle et des Arts 57, 406–409 (1803)Footnote

    A translation was published in Nicholson’s Journal: Experiments on magnetism; by Mr. Ritter, of Jena. Communicated by Dr. Orsted, of Copenhagen. A Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and the Arts [2] 8: 184–186, 1804.

  • Ørsted, H.C.: Experimenta circa effectum conflictus electrici in acum magneticam. Schultz, Hafniae (1820)Footnote

    Ørsted’s paper was reproduced in the Journal für Chemie und Physik 29: 275–281, 1820. It was reprinted in LARSEN, A. (ed.). The discovery of electromagnetism made in the year 1820 by H. C. Oersted. Copenhagen, 1920. This book also contains facsimile reprints of early translations (German, French, English, Italian) of Ørsted’s work.

  • Ostwald, W.: Elektrochemie. Ihre Geschichte und Lehre. Von Veit, Leipzig (1896)

    Google Scholar 

  • Paillot, R.: Sur la force électromotrice d’aimantation. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sciences de Paris, 131, 1194–1195, 1326 (1900)

    Google Scholar 

  • Paillot, R.: Recherches sur les forces électromotrices d’aimantation.Footnote

    This paper is an abstract of Paillot’s PhD thesis: Recherches sur les forces électromotrices d’aimantation. Lille: I. Danel, 1901.

    Journal de Physique Théorique et Appliqué 4(1), 207–228 (1902)

  • Partington, J.R.: A History of Chemistry, 4 vols. Macmillan, London (1961–1970)

  • Perov, N.S., Sheverdyaeva, P.M., Inoue, M.: Effect of magnetic field on the electrode potential of metals. J. Appl. Phys. 91, 8557–8559 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perov, N.S., Sheverdyaeva, P.M., Inoue, M.: Investigations of the magnetic field effect on electrochemical processes. J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 272–276, 2448–2449 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsey, R.R.: The effect of gravity and pressure on electrolytic action. Phys. Rev. 13, 1–30 (1901)

    Google Scholar 

  • Remsen, I.: Chemical action in a magnetic field. Am. Chem. J. 3, 157–163 (1881)

    Google Scholar 

  • Remsen, I.: Influence of magnetism on chemical action. Science 1, 36–37 (1883)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Remsen, I.: Note in regard to the influence of magnetism on chemical action. Am. Chem. J. 6, 430–431 (1885)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rendu, L.: Observations qui tendent a prouver que la cristallisation de tous le corps est un phénomène électrique. Bibliothèque Universelle des Sciences, Belles Lettres et Arts (Sciences et Arts) 38, 304–317; 39, 58–72 (1928a)

  • Rendu, L.: Influence du magnétisme sur les actions chimiques. Annales de Chimie et de Physique 38, 196–197 (1928b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rendu, L.: Chemische Gegenwirkung des magnetischen Eisens. Archiv für die gesammte Naturlehre 15, 335 (1928c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rendu, L.: Chemical powers of magnetism. Q. J. Sci. 26, 429 (1928d)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rendu, L.: Influence of magnetism. Am. J. Sci. Arts 16, 262 (1929)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhen, F.M.F., Hinds, G., Coey, J.M.D.: Magnetic field effect on the rest potential of zinc. Electrochem. Commun. 6, 413–416 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ridolfi, C.: Lettera all’editore dell’Antologia. Antologia 7, 498–501 (1822)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowland, H.A., Bell, L.: On an explanation of the action of a magnet on chemical action.Footnote

    This paper was also published in American Journal of Science [3] 36: 39–47, 1888.

    Lond. Edinb. Dublin Phil. Mag. 5(26), 105–114 (1888)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schweigger, J.S.C.: Ueber Cohäsion, in Abhängigkeit von krystall-elektrischer Anziehung. Journal für Chemie und Physik 44, 79–86 (1825)

    Google Scholar 

  • Selwood, P.W.: Magnetochemistry, 2nd edn. Interscience, New York (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Squier, G.O.: Electro-chemical effects due to magnetization.Footnote

    This paper was also published in the London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Magazine [5] 35: 473–489, 1893.

    Am. J. Sci. 3(45), 443–458 (1893)

  • Stock, J.T., Orna, M.V.: Electrochemistry, Past and Present. American Chemical Society, Washington (1989)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sue, P.: Histoire du galvanisme et analyse des différens ouvrages publiés sur cette découverte, depuis son origine jusqu’à ce jour, 2 vols. Bernard, Paris (1802)

  • Tacken, R.A., Janssen, L.J.J.: Applications of magnetoelectrolysis. J. Appl. Electrochem. 25, 1–5 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Swinden, J.H.: Analogie de l’éléctricité et du magnétisme ou récueil de mémoires, couronnés par l’Académie de Bavière, 3 vols La Compagnie/Veuve Duchesne, La Haye/Paris (1785)

  • Wartmann, E.: New experiments on electro-magnetism. Rep. Meet. Br. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 16, 27–28 (1846)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wartmann, E.: Third memoir on induction. Lond. Edinb. Dublin Phil. Mag. 3(30), 261–272 (1847)

    Google Scholar 

  • Waskaas, M.: Magnetic field effect on electrode reactions. I. Effects on the open-circuit potential of electrodes in solutions of different magnetic properties. Acta Chem. Scand. 50, 516–520 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiedemann, G.: Die Lehre von der Elektricität, 3 vols. Friedrich Vieweg und Sohn, Braunschweig (1882–1883)

  • Wolff, F.A.: On the influence of magnetism on chemical action. Am. Chem. J. 17, 122–138 (1895)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi, M., Tanimoto, Y. (eds.): Magneto-Science, Magnetic Field Effects on Materials, Fundamentals and Applications. Springer, Berlin (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, I., Yamaguchi, M., Fujino, M., Ishikawa, F., Goto, T., Miura, S.: Magnetic field effects on the chemical equilibrium between metals and hydrogen. Phys. B Conden. Matter 216, 399–402 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, I., Fujino, M., Yamaguchi, M., Ishikawa, F., Goto, T., Miura, S.: Electromotive force of metal hydride electrodes in gradient magnetic fields. J. Alloys Compd. 293–295, 251–254 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and to the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for supporting this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, State University of Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil

    Roberto de Andrade Martins

  2. Group of History, Theory and Science Teaching, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil

    Roberto de Andrade Martins

Authors
  1. Roberto de Andrade Martins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roberto de Andrade Martins.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

de Andrade Martins, R. The rise of magnetochemistry from Ritter to Hurmuzescu. Found Chem 14, 157–182 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-011-9127-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-011-9127-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation