The Ionization Processes in Methane Interpreted by the Mass Spectrograph

Abstract

The ionization processes occurring when C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ molecules are ionized by controlled electron impact have been determined with the aid of the mass spectrograph. C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}^{+}$ and C${\mathrm{H}}_{3}^{+}$ are the only ions formed, and by a study of their relative intensities under different conditions of pressure and voltage, it was found that both these ions are formed directly by the electron impact. The ionization processes are: C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$=C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}^{+}$+${\mathrm{E}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ (14.5 volts); C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$=C${\mathrm{H}}_{3}^{+}$+H+${\mathrm{E}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ (15.5 volts).Isotopes of neon.---It has been definitely determined that besides the two isotopes of neon, ${\mathrm{Ne}}_{20}$ and ${\mathrm{Ne}}_{22}$, there exists a third isotope with a mass of 21.