Page:Radio-activity.djvu/204

 It is seen that the hard rays show a much closer agreement than the soft rays with the density law found for the γ rays. The high values previously obtained for the vapours of chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are greatly reduced, and are very nearly the same as for the γ rays. On the other hand, the vapour of methyl iodide is an exception, and still shows a high conductivity. The γ rays were, however, forty times as penetrating as the hard X rays, and it is probable that the value of methyl iodide would be reduced with still more penetrating X rays.

Relative conductivities of gases.

+-+-++-+-+ +-+-++-+-+ +-+-++-+-+
 * |Relative | "Soft" | "Hard" |]       |
 * Gas         | Density | X rays | X rays  | rays  |
 * Hydrogen             |    ·07  |   ·11  |   ·42   |  ·19  |
 * Air                  |   1·0   |  1·0   |  1·0    | 1·0   |
 * Sulphuretted Hydrogen |  1·2   |  6     |   ·9    | 1·23  |
 * Chloroform           |   4·3   | 32     |  4·6    | 4·8   |
 * Methyl Iodide        |   5·0   | 72     | 13·5    | 5·6   |
 * Carbon Tetrachloride |   5·3   | 45     |  4·9    | 5·2   |

The hard X rays were found to give far more secondary radiation than the γ rays, but this effect is probably also a function of the penetrating power of the primary rays. It will be seen later (section 112) that γ rays give rise to a secondary radiation of the β ray type. This has also been observed for the X rays.

Considering the experimental evidence as a whole, there is undoubtedly a very marked similarity between the properties of γ and X rays. The view that the γ rays are a type of very penetrating X rays, also receives support from theoretical considerations. We have seen (section 52) that the X rays are believed to be electromagnetic pulses, akin in some respects to short light waves, which are set up by the sudden stoppage of the cathode ray particles. Conversely, it is also to be expected that X rays will be produced at the sudden starting, as well as at the sudden stopping, of electrons. Since most of the β particles from radium are ejected from the radium atom with velocities much greater than the cathode particles in a vacuum tube, X rays of a very penetrating character will arise. But