Until large quantities of radium are available for the experimenter it
would appear difficult to make sure how many of these lines must be
ascribed to the spectrum of the emanation or to measure the wave-lengths
with accuracy.
The results are of great interest, as showing that the emanation has a
definite and new spectrum of the same general character as the argon
group of gases to which, as we have seen, it is chemically allied.
Summary of Results.
=174.= The investigations into the nature of the radio-active emanations
have thus led to the following conclusions:—The radio-elements thorium,
radium and actinium continuously produce from themselves radio-active
emanations at a rate which is constant under all conditions. In some
cases, the emanations continuously diffuse from the radio-active
compounds into the surrounding gas; in other cases, the emanations are
unable to escape from the material in which they are produced, but are
occluded, and can only be released by solution or by the action of heat.
The emanations possess all the properties of radio-active gases. They
diffuse through gases, liquids, and porous substances, and can be
occluded in some solids. Under varying conditions of pressure, volume,
and temperature, the emanations distribute themselves in the same way
and according to the same laws as does a gas.
The emanations possess the important property of condensation under the
influence of extreme cold, and by that means can be separated from the
gases with which they are mixed. The radiation from the emanation is
material in nature, and consists of a stream of positively charged
particles projected with great velocity.
The emanations possess the property of chemical inertness, and in this
respect resemble the gases of the argon family. The emanations are
produced in minute amount; but a sufficient quantity of the radium
emanation has been obtained to determine its volume and its spectrum.
With regard to their rates of diffusion, the emanations of both thorium
and radium behave like gases of high molecular weight.
These emanations have been detected and their properties investigated by
the property they possess of emitting radiations of a special character.
These radiations consist entirely of α rays, _i.e._ particles, projected
with great velocity, which carry a positive charge and have a mass about
twice that of the hydrogen atom. The emanations do not possess the
property of permanently radiating, but the intensity of the radiations
diminishes according to an exponential law with the time, falling to
half value, from actinium in 4 seconds, from thorium in one minute, and
from radium in about four days. The law of decay of activity does not
seem to be influenced by any physical or chemical agency.
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