Page:Radio-activity.djvu/305

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On comparing these results with the values obtained for the radium emanation, it will be observed that with equal gas streams the temperatures are nearly the same.

A closer examination of the thorium emanation showed, however, that this apparent agreement was only accidental, and that there was, in reality, a very marked difference in the effect of temperature on the two emanations. It was found experimentally that the radium emanation was condensed very near the temperature at which volatilization commenced, and that the points of condensation and volatilization were defined fairly sharply.

Fig. 60.

On the other hand, the thorium emanation required a range of over 30° C. after condensation had started in order to ensure complete condensation. Fig. 60 is an example of the results obtained with a steady gas stream of 1·38 c.c. per sec. of oxygen. The ordinates represent the percentage proportion of the emanation uncondensed at different temperatures. It will be observed that condensation commences about -120°, and that very little of the emanation escapes condensation at -155° C.

To investigate this difference of behaviour in the two emanations, a static method was employed, which allowed an examination