The Crossed-Orbit Model of Helium

Abstract

THE spectrum formula proposed for helium in my letter of March 1 (NATURE of April 28, p. 567), was shown to yield, for cos i = ½, the correct ionisation potential and, for, “,, 5/9, the four Lyman lines; with that corresponding to the former as the limit. The deduction of this formula (on lines by no means classical) and the attitude to be taken with regard to the “negative” results obtained in the meantime by Dr. Kramers by means of classical mechanics (Zeits. f. Physik, 13, 312) have been fully explained in a paper appearing in the June issue of the Astrophys. Journal, and need not be repeated here. The purpose of this letter is to point out some further peculiarities of the formula (a) as such, which will be seen to bring order into the apparently queer correlation given before.