Low-Field Mobilities of the Negative Ions in Oxygen, Sulfur Hexafluoride, Sulfur Dioxide, and Hydrogen Chloride

Abstract

Measurements of the low-field mobility of the negative ions in ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, S${\mathrm{F}}_{6}$, S${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and HCl are described. The results are 2.46, 0.57, 0.35, and 0.71 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/v-sec, respectively, reduced to 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and 760 mm Hg pressure. A quantum-mechanical theory of ionic mobility is outlined and applied to the gases investigated experimentally. Comparison of the experimental and theoretical results indicates that the oxygen ion is ${\mathrm{O}}_{3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, but attempts to identify the ions in the other gases are inconclusive.