A chemically active modification of nitrogen produces by the electric discharge.―II

Abstract

It was noticed previously that oxygen destroyed the nitrogen afterglow. There is no doubt whatever that is a positively destructive effect, as opposed to a mere dilution. For if a stream of oxygen is admitted through a stoppock into the stream of glowing nitrogen, the glow is extinguished: replacing the oxygen with an equal (inert) nitrogen feed, the nitrogen glow reappears, only slightly weakened by dilution. No oxidation of nitrogen accompanies the destruction of the glow. The mixed gases were passed through a U-tube cooled in liquid air for half-an-hour. No deposit could be seen in the tube. The condensed gases from the U-tube (if any) were collected through a Töpler pump on warming up. Nothing was collected beyond about 1/2 c. c. of nitrogen peroxide, which was presumably derived from leakage, since liquid air could not have condensed it.