A Brief Account of Radio-activity

by F. P. Venable

Fig. 1.—Ionization of Gases.

When this apparatus is set up a minute current will be observed without the introduction of any radio-active matter. This, as Rutherford says, has been found due mainly to a slight natural radio-activity of the matter composing the plates. If radio-active matter is spread on plate A, which is connected with one pole of a grounded battery, and if plate B is connected with an electrometer which is also connected with the earth, a current is caused which increases rapidly with the difference of potential between the plates, then more slowly until a value is reached that changes only slightly with a larger increase in the voltage.

According to the theory of ionization, the radiation produces ions at a constant rate. The ions carrying a positive charge are attracted to plate B, while those negatively charged are attracted to plate A, thus causing a current. These ions will recombine and neutralize their charges if the opportunity is given. The number, therefore, increases to a point at which the ions produced balance the number recombining.

When an electric field is produced between the plates, the velocity of the ions between the plates is increased in proportion to the strength of the electric field. In a weak field the ions travel so slowly that most of them recombine on the way and consequently the observed current is very small. On increasing the voltage the speed of the ions is increased, fewer recombine, the current increases, and, when the condition for recombination is practically removed, it will have a maximum value. This maximum current is called the saturation current and the value of the potential difference required to give this maximum current is called the saturation P.D. or saturation voltage.

The picture, then, is this. The radiations separate the components of the gas into ions, or carriers of electricity, half of which are charged negatively and half positively. In the electric field those negatively charged seek the positive plate and those positively charged seek the negative plate. If time is given, these ions meet and recombine, their charges are neutralized, and there is no current.

Experimental Confirmation

This theory of the ionization of gases has been most interestingly confirmed by direct experiment. For instance, the ions may form nuclei for the condensation of water, and in this way the existence of the separate ions in the gas may be shown and the number present actually counted.

When air saturated with water vapor is allowed to expand suddenly, the water present forms a mist of small globules. There are always small dust particles in air and around these as nuclei the drops are formed. These drops will settle and thus by repeated small expansions all dust nuclei may be removed and no mist or cloud will be formed by further expansions.

If now the radiation from a radio-active body be introduced into the condensation vessel, a new cloud is produced in which the water drops are finer and more numerous according to the intensity of the rays. On passing a strong beam of light through the condensation chamber, the drops can readily be seen. These drops form on the ions produced by the radiation.