Abstract
An oscillographic method is described for measuring the electric gradient (volts ), current density (amp. ), total voltage (volts) as a function of current in the discharge. The method is applied to arcs in the 0-10-ampere range under conditions of free convection in , A, and He in the 1-50-atmosphere pressure range, and to air, C, and steam at atmospheric pressure. The exponent and in are determined for these cases. The range of is , and some dependence on pressure is observed. The exponent in is measured for , , He, and A, and is found to be 0.31, 0.32, 0.20, and 0.16, respectively, with some dependence on current. The method is applied to arcs between electrodes of a number of common metals in air.
- Received 30 January 1939
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.55.561
©1939 American Physical Society