The velocity of the ions produced in gases by Röntgen rays

Abstract

The sum of the velocities with which the positive and the negative ions that are produced in gases by the Rontgen rays move when in a unit electric field has already been determined by an indirect method by E. Rutherford. In the experiments here described the velocity was determined in a number of gases for the positive and negative) ions separately, by comparing the ionic velocity directly with that of a stream of gas. The stream of gas was made to flow between two concentric cylinders, which were maintained at different potentials. By passing a narrow beam of Röntgen rays through the cylinders at right angles to their length, a narrow layer of ionised gas was produced.