I_{0} being the initial intensity of the radiation at the moment of
withdrawing the plate from the enclosure; I, the intensity after time,
_t_; _a_ is a numerical coefficient, a = 4·20; θ_{1} and θ_{2} are time
constants, θ_{1} = 2420 secs., θ_{2} = 1860 secs. After two or three
hours this law becomes practically a simple exponential, and the effect
of the second exponential upon the value of I is negligible. The law of
dissipation is therefore such that the intensity of radiation becomes
diminished to one-half its value in twenty-eight minutes. This final law
may be considered as characteristic for the dissipation in an unconfined
air space of the activity induced in solid bodies by radium.
Solid bodies excited by actinium lose their activity in the open air,
according to an exponential law similar to the preceding, the
dissipation being, however, rather slower.
Solid bodies, made active by thorium, lose their activity much more
slowly; the intensity of the radiation is reduced to one-half in eleven
hours.
_Dissipation of Activity in a Confined Space. Velocity of Destruction of
the Emanation._
An enclosure, made active by radium and then removed from its influence,
loses its activity by a law which is much less rapid than that of
dissipation in the open air. The experiment may be carried out with a
glass tube, rendered active internally by placing it for some time in
contact with a solution of a salt of radium. The tube is then sealed in
the flame, and the intensity of radiation emitted by the walls of the
tube is measured while the dissipation takes place.
The law of dissipation is an exponential law. It is given very
accurately by the formula.
I = I_{0}_e_^{t/θ}.
I_{0} = initial intensity of radiation.
I = intensity of radiation at time, _t_.
θ = a time constant, θ = 4·970 × 10^5 secs.
The intensity of the radiation is reduced to one-half in four days.
This law of dissipation is absolutely invariable whatever be the
experimental conditions (dimensions of enclosure, nature of the walls,
nature of the gas within the enclosure, duration of action, &c.). The
law of dissipation remains the same for any temperature between –180°
and +450°. The law is therefore altogether characteristic.
In these experiments it is the radio-active energy accumulated in the
gas that maintains the activity of the walls. If the gas be withdrawn
and a vacuum caused in the enclosure, we have found that dissipation of
activity at once occurs in the rapid method; the intensity of radiation
being reduced to one-half in twenty-eight minutes. The same result is
obtained when ordinary air is substituted for the active air in the
enclosure.
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