Abstract
PROF. ELIHU THOMSON's explanation of the interesting magneto-optical effect which he describes in NATURE of June 23, p. 520, is supported by some experiments we have made recently on various oxides dispersed in air. When the vapour of zinc ethyl diluted with carbonic acid gas is mixed rapidly with a large volume of air, a fine fume is produced the particles of which when examined with the ultra-microscope exhibit rapid Brownian motion. In a short time the motion becomes slower and the particles brighter, but fewer in number. This continues until the fume has aggregated into a number of loose complexes formed of irregular chains or strings of particles. These chains are flexible and whirl and twist about under molecular bombardment in a striking manner, but fall under gravity at a surprisingly slow rate. In an electrostatic field the complexes straighten out and arrange themselves parallel to the lines of force, and on reversal of the field rotate through 180°.
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WHYTLAW-GRAY, R., SPEAKMAN, J. A Novel Magneto-Optical Effect. Nature 107, 619 (1921). https://doi.org/10.1038/107619b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/107619b0
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