Open AccessThe chemical effects of cathode rays. Part I. -The decomposition of ammonia
Publication year - 1931
Publication title -
proceedings of the royal society of london. series a, containing papers of a mathematical and physical character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9150
pISSN - 0950-1207
DOI - 10.1098/rspa.1931.0009
Subject(s) - ionization , cathode , electron , chemical reaction , ammonia , range (aeronautics) , protein filament , decomposition , chemical agents , chemical species , chemical physics , chemistry , atomic physics , materials science , physics , ion , biochemical engineering , composite material , organic chemistry , nuclear physics , engineering
Investigation of the chemical effects ofα -particles, and of low velocity electrons of known voltages have given valuable quantitative results. Those investigations usingα -particles posses the disadvantage that the power normally available is very small , whilst those using low velocity electrons, though possessing the advantage that the critical potentials for chemical reaction and hence the active species can be determined, are practically limited to low pressures, and to reactions which are not seriously affected by heated filament. The development of the Lenard tube makes it possible to obtain a very intense source of ionisation, and to investigate reaction over a great range of pressures under conditions in which thermal effects are eliminated. It is therefore important to determine how far this method may be rendered quantitative.