pressure and temperature. This velocity is about the same as the velocity of the positive ion produced by Röntgen rays in air, viz. 1·37 cms. per sec. The results obtained with the radium emanation were more uncertain than those for thorium on account of the distribution of some excited activity on the positive electrode. The values of the velocities of the carriers were however found to be roughly the same for radium as for thorium.
These results show that the carriers of the active deposit travel in the gas with about the same velocity as the positive or negative ions produced by the radiations in the gas. This indicates either that the active matter becomes attached to positive ions, or that the active matter itself, acquiring in some way a positive charge, collects a cluster of neutral molecules which travel with it.
192. Carriers of the excited activity from actinium and "emanium." Giesel[1] observed that "emanium" gave off
a large quantity of emanation, and that this emanation gave rise to
a type of radiation which he termed the E rays. A narrow metal
cylinder containing the active substance was placed with the open
end downwards, about 5 cms. above the surface of a zinc sulphide
screen. The screen was charged negatively to a high potential by
an electric machine, and the cylinder connected with earth. A
luminous spot of light was observed on the screen, which was
brighter at the edge than at the centre. A conductor, connected
with earth, brought near the luminous spot apparently repelled it.
An insulator did not show such a marked effect. On removal of
the active substance, the luminosity of the screen persisted for
some time. This was probably due to the excited activity produced
on the screen.
The results obtained by Giesel support the view that the carriers of excited activity of "emanium" have a positive charge. In a strong electric field the carriers travel along the lines of force to the cathode, and there cause excited activity on the screen. The movement of the luminous zone on the approach of a conductor is due to the disturbance of the electric field.
- ↑ Giesel, Ber. d. D. Chem. Ges. 36, p. 342, 1903.
