Apparent Decay of Radium

Abstract

I WISH to put on record an observation relating to the amount of “electrolytic gas” obtainable from a solution of radium bromide. Some four years ago, about 172 milligrams of radium salts, of which 152 were bromide and 10 sulphate, were enclosed in four small bulbs along with water, which dissolved the bromide, and in which the sulphate was suspended. These bulbs were sealed to a small Töpler pump, and for three years the mixed oxygen and hydrogen gases were pumped off at short intervals—about four days between two extractions. With the emanation accompanying this mixture various experiments were performed, an account of which has appeared in the Proceedings of the Royal Society and the Transactions of the Chemical Society.