Cathode, Lenard, and Rontgen Rays, 281 



that polarization of the Rontgen rays cannot be detected by 

 ordinary optical apparatus for the purpose. 



These negative properties have been explained chiefly by 

 the assumed smallness of the wave-length, and have, there- 

 fore, little direct connexion with our theory of the Rontgen 

 rays beyond indicating the probability of a small wave-length 

 for the Rontgen rays for similar reasons to those usually 

 urged. We must, therefore, proceed to properties that our 

 short waves must possess by virtue of their origin in vibrating 

 electrons. In the first place, we should expect the electrons 

 forming the neutrons in the aether to be set vibrating by our 

 waves ; but if they produce no dissipation of the energy they 

 will not cause any absorption, but will simply participate in the 

 general asthereal operations of propagating the waves. But 

 when the waves get amongst the electrons associated with 

 atoms, and set them vibrating internally, there is called forth 

 that resistance to the vibration which constitutes the damping 

 action already spoken of. One of the probable results of such 

 an action would be the setting of the acting and reacting 

 atom and electron into relative motion, so causing the ab- 

 sorbed Rontgen energy to appear as some form of radiant 

 energy congenial to the atom and electron. In this way our 

 waves could give rise to fluorescent and photographic effects 

 in the manner of the Rontgen rays. If an electron absorbs 

 enough of the energy of our small waves, it may be set into 

 such vigorous motion as to escape from the atom with which 

 it is acting and reacting, and appear as a free electron, or it 

 may associate itself with an electron* to form an ion. At 

 the foundation of our theory we suppose our small waves to 

 be produced by the deformation of an electron during a 

 vigorous transfer of energy from electron to atom ; and now 

 we suppose this to be a reversible action, so that an electron 

 set vibrating near to an atom can convert enough of its 

 vibrational energy into translational kinetic energy to escape 

 from the atom. With this legitimate dynamic assumption of 

 reversibility, we can deduce from our hypothesis the produc- 

 tion of free electrons or ions in a dielectric traversed by our 

 small waves, which is in agreement with the remarkable pro- 

 perty possessed by the Rontgen rays of making gases con- 

 duct electricity well. The presence of scattered ions in a 

 solid dielectric does not necessarily make it conduct. An 

 experimental method of testing our theoretical conclusion, 

 that Rontgen rays ought to have the same effect on solid 

 dielectrics as on gases, would be to heat one till it gave de- 

 cided signs of electrolytic conduction, and then test as to 



* [Atom ?] 



