Experimental determination of the thermal conductivities of gases

Abstract

The analysis of the dynamic theory of gases has indicated an interesting relation between the viscosity η , the thermal conductivity K, and the specific heat at constant volume C c of a gas. This relation is represented by the expression K = f . C c . η , in which the factor f depends upon the law of force operative in molecular collision, and is known if K, C c , and η can be determined experimentally. In view of its importance in this respect, and also from the fact that great accuracy and consistency of measurement are possible in modern determinations of the viscosity of gases, the importance of the development of a method by which the conductivity can be measured with the same order of accuracy demands increasing attention.