The dielectric constants of ammonia, phosphine and arsine

Abstract

Abstract The dielectric constant of ammonia at various temperatures between 19° and 175° has been measured by Jona, Bädeker has also determined its value from 18° to 108°, and K. Wolf has recently measured the rate of change of dielectric constant with pressure. Jona showed that the change in dielectric constant with temperature could be represented by Debye’s equation ϵ — 1 = N (A + B/T), and Zahn has shown that this relation also holds for the series of gases HCl, HBr, HI. It was considered of interest, therefore, to make similar measurements for the gases PH3 and AsH3, and to repeat the determinations for NH3, in order to provide data for another series of gases in the periodic table. It has not been possible so far to examine SbH3, as the rapid decomposition of this gas with the formation of a mirror would readily break down the insulation of a condenser of the ordinary type.