1063 



which occur at the first burning of the lamp. The results of the 

 following investigations state again, that by electric discharges the 

 molecules are split up into components of great activity. 



The energy and the velocity, observed in the piocesses which 

 occur then, are astonishing. For the chemist a wide field of invest- 

 igation is open here. 



Already phosphorus vapour itself, without any other gas is very 

 sensible to electric discharges. When red phosphorus is vapori/ed 

 and condensed again, it is obtained in the "yellow" form. When 

 this experiment is made in xacuo, the condensation is greatly retarded, 

 and very easily phosphorus gets into the vacuum pump. When 

 however on the way to the pump two small platinum wires 

 opposite to each other are fixed, between which an electric discharge 

 takes place by means of an inductorium, the phosphorus in pie- 

 cipitated there quantitatively. (Comp. von Koht,S(?hütter and A. 

 Trumkin). ') 



This experiment can be made with small quantities of phosphorus vapour, so 

 that the change of colour (greenyellow-red and finally very dark) with the increas- 

 ing thickness of the originally extremely thin layers of the condensate can be observed. 

 Also the forming of conglomerates in the condensate may be expected now. And 

 further the occurrence of another modification plays of course a great part in lliese 

 clianges of colour. 



Ifi the following we will investigate the action between phosphorus 

 and different gases under the influence of electric discharges. 

 Carbon monoxide. Without electric discharges there is seen of course 

 nothing, neither when the reaction vessel is heated. Quite different 

 becomes the case, when electric dischai-ges are sent through the 

 reaction vessel, while at the same time the whole apparatus is heated 

 to such a temperature that the phosphorus is vaporized. Then an 

 extremely rapid disappearance of the gas takes place which is shown 

 by the rapid decrease of the gas pressure (McLeod manometer). 

 This may be regarded as a confirmation of what has been found 

 by the author on another occasion') about a reaction between 

 nitrogen and carbon monoxide by electric discharges viz. that the CO 

 is split up by the discharge. Both on the path of the discharge 

 and beside it the oxygen has occasion lo oxidize the phosphorus or 

 the liberated carl)Ou. Where in the experiment an excess of phos- 

 phorous is introduced in vaporous* state it is easy to say which of 

 the two \\\\\ be chosen by the oxygen. 



1) V. KoHLSCHÜTTER and Trumkin, Zeitschr. f. Electrochem. 20. 110 ilQU). 



2) L. Hamburger, Chem. Weekbl. 15, 938-940 (1918). 



69 

 Proceedings Royal Acad. Amsterdam. Vol. XXI. 



