D O C U M E N T 4 0 5 D E C E M B E R 1 9 2 4 4 0 1
ence of a saturation current for the discharge potentials and aspiration velocities ap-
plied inside the aircraft. Although these tests were decisive also for this, they can-
not reveal anything about our present problem.
As concerns the balloon experiments, the situation is, as I have rechecked again,
such that the found positive volume charge in any case becomes greater if one as-
sumes that the ion distribution in the approaching airflow and the ion paths upon
entry into the capacitor are disturbed by the apparatus’s influence charge and must
be corrected accordingly.
I would be grateful if you would let me know how large the charge effect of mat-
ter would be in the atmosphere, if you presuppose other confirmations of your basic
assumption.[3]
Also please do inform me when you have published something on this subject,
such as your Lucerne
presentation.[4]
With respectful regards, yours very sincerely,
Wigand.
405. From Auguste Piccard
Brussels, 14 Ernestine Avenue, 25 December 1924
Highly esteemed Professor,
Since last Sunday, we have been doing 1 to 2 experiments daily with the appa-
ratus last described to
you.[1]
Each time, 30 to 120 g CO2 are absorbed. Before the
start of the gas intake, the potential is so constant and the electrometer’s sensitivity
sufficient to detect an effect of some 1/50 stat. unit/kg matter. During intake, how-
ever, irregular disturbances still develop whose effect approaches close to the ex-
pected effect of 1/10 stat. unit/kg. But the magnitude and even the sign of these dis-
turbances change; during the absorption, mostly a negative charge forms. Possible
disturbances: (1) ions carried-along that are either not held back inside the capaci-
tor, or are formed by the wind effect in the feed pipe (250
cm3 sec–1
in a pipe of Ø
= 1.6 cm). (2) The quite significant heating up of the vessel (Volta effect?) In both
cases I can still improve the apparatus. But it seems already probable that the effect
is not present in the expected order of magnitude. I am going to conduct one more
trial tomorrow. I can only take up further testing after [the] 18th Jan. [19]25.
Today I would like to present another experimental arrangement for your
assessment:[2]
Into a 5-l[iter] vessel, CO2 is introduced at an overpressure of 10 atm. The vessel
contains a hygroscopic desiccant and a sphere that is charged 1,000 to 2,000 volts
against the vessel. This tension is maintained by a Leyden jar that is enclosed inside