On the Electrical Discharge in Mixed Gases

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Spectra of argon, hydrogen and oxygen in the negative glow and positive column of a discharge tube containing A---${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and A---${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ mixtures.---The following mixtures were used: (1) ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$90% -A 10%, (2) ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ 50%-A 50%, (3) ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ 90%-A 10%, (4) ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$50%-A 50%. Tables are given showing the principal lines in each region, and their estimated relative intensities. In all four cases the change in concentration was found to make little difference in the distribution of electronic energy. In (1) the argon red spectrum is very strongly excited in the positive column and the blue spectrum appears most intensely in the negative glow. A considerable number of electrons in the positive column possess energies of about 16 volts, while their energy in the negative glow reaches as much as 38 and 40 volts. In (3) and (4) the electrons on the whole possess energies of a higher order in both regions. The argon blue spectrum, the hydrogen Balmer series, and the oxygen series and elementary spectra predominate in the negative glow, whereas the argon red spectrum is most intense in the positive column. The behavior of the Balmer lines in hydrogen and argon is the opposite of its behavior in hydrogen and helium. The striated state was produced in every mixture, and abrupt changes in the discharge occurred, when the pressure was reduced to critical values. The rotation of inclined striae is connected with the intermittency of the discharge.