Abstract
AFTER repeated failures I have now succeeded in observing the mass rays of zirconium. Their detection is only possible under very favourable conditions with the most sensitive schumannised plates. Zirconium gives mass lines 90, 92, 94 and a doubtful one at (96), with relative intensities, very roughly, 10, 2, 4, (1) respectively. The masses of the first three can be determined with unusually high accuracy, owing to the incidental presence among them of a faint doublet 93, 95 due to CBr. There is no appearance of asymmetry in the spacing, so that the masses of the isotopes of zirconium must be very closely integral with those of bromine; that is to say, less than whole numbers by about one-tenth of a unit. The atomic weight may therefore be roughly estimated as 91.4 or 91.2, according to whether the mass number 96 is included as an isotope or not.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ASTON, F. The Mass Spectra of Zirconium and some other Elements. Nature 114, 273 (1924). https://doi.org/10.1038/114273a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/114273a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.