Abstract
AFTER repeated failures I have at last succeeded in obtaining the mass-spectrum of ordinary lead. This has been done by the use of its tetramethyl compound, a pure specimen of which was kindly supplied me by Mr. C. S. Piggot, of the Geophysical Laboratory, Washington. The vapour was first used diluted with carbon dioxide but later was admitted pure into the discharge tube. It works smoothly, but very long exposures are required. The three principal lines are 206 (4), 207 (3), 208 (7). The figures in brackets indicate roughly the relative intensities and are in good agreement with the atomic weight 207.2. This group is beautifully confirmed by its repetition 15, 30, and 45 units higher, corresponding with the mono-, di-, and trimethyl molecules. Comparator measurements show that all three of these lines are integral with those of mercury to an accuracy of 1 or 2 parts in 10,000.
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ASTON, F. The Constitution of Ordinary Lead. Nature 120, 224 (1927). https://doi.org/10.1038/120224a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/120224a0
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