384 
n‚eVÀ, 
“2m Cn 
When on discharge every positive ion gives a, gas molecules, 
and every negative ion a, gas molecules, it is seen that at the 
cathode per unit of time the number of gas molecules plus ions 
will be diminished by: 
Nn eV Anas n, eV Ja, 
(4) 
pp 
whereas at the anode a corresponding increase of gas molecules 
will take place. 
Hence it is seen that as was already stated in the author’s thesis 
for the doctorate, the differences of pressure must depend on the number, 
mass, charge and mobility of the positive and the negative ions. 
The supposition made here that only univalent ions would occur, 
does not answer to reality. Many kinds of ions will be found side 
by side, and at different places of the path of the current the con- 
dition differs. The current conduction is very complicated in its 
nature. We pointed this out already before *) in connection with the 
destructive action of the discharge on the particles affected by it. 
It is, therefore, to say the least of it, very hazardous to draw far 
reaching conclusions from the measured pressure effects with regard 
to the nature of the bearers of the electricity. It will always be 
necessary to take also other methods into account, e.g. those which 
have been followed with such fruitful results by J. J. THomson, 
J. Stark and others. 
It is, however, possible to demonstrate, that, as regards the order 
of magnitude of the calculated results, the view must be valid that 
the mass-transportation by means of the electric current must be 
chiefly responsible for the observed pressure effects. 
Thus considered there can be no objection to taking a single 
simplified case as a subject of further consideration, in which as 
gas nitrogen may be chosen. 
b. Let us assume that per unit of time an equal number of posi- 
tive, univalent nitrogen-ions leave the capillary space on one side 
as negative univalent nitrogen ions on the other side, and let us 
suppose that on discharge per negative ion one gas-molecule is sup- 
plied, whereas at the cathode two positive ions are required for this. 
A gram-molecule of an ion (= 22400 eem.) considered as gas 
under normal conditions cedes 96540 coulombs on neutralisation. 
A milli-ampere t orts second aoa ccm. of gas unde 
MAI -AI re trans ki CEasc n ————_—__—_ — - 1 Yr 
P Boe eel 96540.1000 6 
1) L. HAMBURGER. Chem. Weekblad 15, 982 (1918). 
