of an atom. It also explains the non-deflection of the path of the rays by a magnetic or electric field. The intensity of the electric and magnetic force in the pulse is so great that it is able to cause a removal of an electron from some of the atoms of the gas, over which the pulse passes, and thus causes the ionization observed.
The cathode rays produce X rays, and these in turn give rise to a secondary radiation whenever they impinge on a solid body. This secondary radiation is emitted equally in all directions, and consists partly of a radiation of the X ray type and also of electrons projected with considerable velocity. This secondary radiation gives rise to a tertiary radiation and so on.
Barkla55 has shown that the secondary radiation emitted from a gas through which the rays pass consists in part of scattered X rays of about the same penetrating power as the primary rays as well as some easily absorbed rays.
Part of the cathode rays is diffusely reflected on striking the cathode. These scattered rays consist in part of electrons of the same speed as in the primary beam, but also include some others of much less velocity. The amount of diffuse reflection depends upon the nature of the cathode and the angle of incidence of the rays.
We shall see later (chapter IV.) that similar effects are produced when the rays from radio-active substances impinge upon solid bodies.
In this chapter an account of the ionization theory of gases has been given to the extent that is necessary for the interpretation of the measurements of radio-activity by the electric method. It would be out of place here to discuss the development of that theory in detail, to explain the passage of electricity through flames and vapours, the discharge of electricity from hot bodies, and the very complicated phenomena observed in the passage of electricity through a vacuum tube.
For further information on this important subject, the reader is referred to J. J. Thomson’s Conduction of Electricity through Gases, in which the whole subject is treated in a full and complete manner. A simple account of the effect of moving charges and the electronic theory of matter was given by the same author in the Silliman Lectures of Yale University and published under the title Electricity and Matter (Scribner, New York, 1904).