ABSTRACT
In the conduction of gases under the influence of Rontgen Ray and Becquerel Ray, it has generally been considered that the magnitude of the current between the electrodes is independent of the direction of the electric field, except in the case of potential differences. The essential conditions for obtaining unequal currents are: Ionization unsymmetrical with regard to the electrodes. Disturbance of the potential gradient due to the movement of the ions in the electric field. Unequal velocity of the ions. It will be observed that the potential gradient, near the radioactive surface, is very small compared with that near the upper plate, and that, near the upper plate, the potential gradients are very nearly the same whether the top plate is positive or negative. In the present case, where the plate on which the radioactive substance was spread was horizontal, it was not convenient to use a water or mercury-dropper to determine the potential at any point between the plates.
