Page:Radio-active substances.djvu/93

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radio-active substances.
85

product was dried. Table I. (Fig. 12, Curve I.) refers to the total radiation. Table II. (Fig. 12, Curve II.) refers only to the penetrating rays (rays which have traversed 3 c.m. of air and 0·01 m.m. of aluminium).

Table I. Table I.
Time.
Days.
 I. Time.
Days.
I.
 0 ... ...  21  0 ... ...  1·3
 1 ... ...  25  1 ... ... 19
 3 ... ...  44  3 ... ... 43
 5 ... ...  60  6 ... ... 60
10 ... ...  78 15 ... ... 70
19 ... ...  93 23 ... ... 86
33 ... ... 100 46 ... ... 94
67 ... ... 100


Fig. 12.

I made several other series of determinations of the same kind, but they do not absolutely agree with one another, although the general character of the curves obtained remains the same. It is difficult to obtain very regular results. It may, however, be remarked that the acquisition of activity requires more than one month for its production, and that the most penetrating rays are the most deeply affected by solution.

The initial intensity of the radiation which is able to traverse 3 c.m. of air and 0·01 m.m. of aluminium is only 1 per cent of the limiting intensity, whilst the initial intensity of the total radiation is 21 per cent of the total limiting radiation.

A radium salt which has been dissolved and recently evaporated to dryness possesses the same power of causing