26 Dr. A. S. Eve on the Ionization of the 



Here put -~ for u r and u a for v s , so that 



the component of u a in the direction of the x axis 





or 1 /da 



~dt 



=/-§*£ 4? fa*** • ^ 38 ) 



F {Yx) denoting the x component of F 1# Each degree of aether 

 has the same kinetic energy equal to the kinetic energy of 

 each material degree of freedom. In the latter the gyro- 

 static term reappears as the second part of (38), Thus the 

 kinetic energy of the electron so far as it is electromagnetic 

 in origin is not any part of the total energy H. 



It will be objected that what appears as radiation in this 

 paper is not the real radiation. The field immediately sur- 

 rounding an electron ought to be reckoned as part of the 

 electron's energy. If, however, we attempt thus to distinguish 

 radiation from what is not radiation, the result is a set of 

 equations which do not belong to a dynamical system at all. 

 With that I am not here concerned, my object has been to 

 consider the results of the general dynamical method wherever 

 it is adopted. 



IV. On the Ionization of the Atmosphere due to Radioactive 

 Matter. By A. S. Eve, M.A., D.Sc, McGill University, 

 Montreal *. 



THERE has been quite recently a well-marked advance 

 in the accuracy of the determination of important 

 radioactive constants. This progress is due to improvement 

 in method and technique, and also to the cumulative evidence 

 derived from different types of experiments. Three notable 

 instances may be given : the determinations of the electronic 

 charge, of the rate of discharge of a particles from a gramme 

 of radium, and of the number of ions produced in air by the 

 various types of a particle. 



It is therefore now possible to estimate, with a reasonable 

 degree of accuracy, the relation in atmospheric electricity 

 between the radioactive agents and the ionizing effects 

 attributable to them. A balance-sheet may be attempted 

 between cause and effect; and although it will not be possible 

 here to review all the valuable work done by many observers 



* Communicated h\ the Author. 



