Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Publication Date

5-15-1964

Abstract

In 1900 Wilson (1900; 1901a; 1901b) in England and Elster and Geitel (1900) in Germany began a series of experiments which were ultimately to lead to the discovery of cosmic rays. Using an electroscope mounted in a grounded metal box, they were able to show that the air in a closed vessel has a slight residual conductivity. After careful experiments had eliminated insulator leakage and charged dust particles as possible sources of the observed current, Wilson speculated that the ionization might be due to the presence of some very penetrating radiation coming from outside the atmosphere. Unfortunately, however, he abandoned this hypothesis when he observe no decrease in the rate of ionization when the ionization chamber was placed in a railroad tunnel. Rutherford and Cook (1903) were able to demonstrate that at least part of the ionization was due to radiation coming from outside the chamber by showing that the rate of ionization could be reduced by surrounding the chamber with lead.

Degree Name

Physics

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Physics & Astronomy

First Committee Member (Chair)

John Root Green

Second Committee Member

Christopher Pratt Leavitt

Third Committee Member

Victor H. Regener

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

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