On the theory of the conduction of electricity through gases by charged ions. 47, 253 (13991. -The authorgives a very cotnplete discussion of the theory of the conduction of electricity by charged ions and develops certain equations in relation to the electric intensity in a gas. which are ohtained froin considerations of the production of ions i n gases. their H . T. 6. reconihination anti niovetnents.
/. J . T/zoi/zroi/. F‘iii. .lT.ry.
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On the masses of the ions in gases at low pressures. J . J . T h o m s m . Phil. .lfa)?, [j] 48,j,q [ id99 1 . - I t has been conclusively shown that the charge on an ion produced in a gas by the action of cathode rays is the same as the charge carried by the liydrogeii ion in electrolysis. I t is shown i n the present paper rn that the ratio of the mass of the ion to the charge, -, for negative electrification, in the case of the action of ultra-violet light on a rarefied gas, or the electrification produced by an incandescent carbon filament is the same a s the ratio for cathode rays. This ratio is of the order of 6 . 8 10-6, while the same ratio for electrolysis is of t h e order 10 4. It follows that the charge. P , being the same. that the mass, i n of the negative ion in a gas must he ahout t h e onethousandth part of a hydrogen atom. The positive ion is, on the contrary, of
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the same relative size as the atom, as is sho\vii by the ratio uf
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being the
same as in ordinary electrolysis. The author considers from the general results that the negative ion niust be of fundamental importance i n any theory of electrical action, anti considers that it niay be the fiundaniental quantity in terms of which all electrical quantities may be expressed. He considers that the gaseous atom may consist of a large nuniher of corpuscles which are equal to each other and that the mass of one of these corpuscles is the same as the negative ion i n a gas a t low pressures, o r about j 10-26 of a graninie. XVheii electrified, one corpuscle splits off froin the aggregation to form the negative ion and leaves the positive ion of greater nias,s Electrification would then depend on t h e splitting tip of the atom itself, H . T. R. The discharge of electricity through argon and helium. A’, J . S f m f f . Phi/, author measures the cathode fall of potential iu the case of helium and argon. experiencing much difficulty with the latter on account of the curling of the positive discharge column arouiid the test electrode on 1.0 the back of the cathode. This was fiiiaily overcome by introducing a test electrode in the shape of a platiiiurn plate nearly filling the tube. T h e cathode fall for heliuni was found to be 2 2 6 volts, or very nearly the value found hy IVarburg for nitrogen. That of argon was found to be 167 volts. TVith an aluniinutii electrode this was reduced to coo volts. T h e author further studies the conductivity of helium uiider the infloence of Kiintgen rays, and coinpares, by that ineans, the rate of production of ions with that for air. The rate of production of the ions in helinni was found to be about one-half that in air. H . T. R. .Jl(~~[ yj . ] 49, 29.3 ( 1 9 o o ) .- T h e
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On Mr. Morris-Airey’s paper on electrolytic conduction in gases. J . J . T h o w PhiZ. AIZug, [j]49, 404 I r900 1 . - -1letter pointingout that M r . Morris-
