Discussion on “permeability”

E. L. Bowles: Mr. Spooner has presented some very interesting data concerning an involved and difficult subject. The analysis of circuits containing what are rather equivocally called “variable constants,” is a difficult and sometimes an impossible problem. At present we are faced with a very serious situation no matter which way we turn. Variable coefficients of resistance are met with in the case of gaseous or thermionic conduction, and they are met with also in the case of circuits containing magnetic materials. In fact, even dielectrics suggest the consideration of variable coefficients. In view of these conditions, it seems that we should talk of the Coefficients of an electric circuit rather than the Constants, for after all, in developing the subject, one must overcome the handicap which results from a treatment of the electric circuit on the basis of constants.