The Acceleration of β-particles in Strong Electric Fields such as those of Thunderclouds

Extract

As is well illustrated by photographs of their tracks, the majority of β-particles of given initial velocity bave approximately the same range, measured along the path. When the track shows a visible branch, indicating that an exceptionally close encounter has resulted in the ejection of an electron with kinetic energy amounting to an appreciable fraction of that of tbe primary particle, the main track is naturally of less tban tbe average range. A diminution of range may also be expected to follow such of the nuclear deflections as result in the emission of X radiation; this decrease in range indeed affords a possible method of measuring the energy of the radiation emitted in individuai cases and so testing theories such as that of Kramers as to the nature and origin of the continuous X-ray spectrum.