Abstract
MESSRS. FARMER and Ratcliffe1 criticise my results on this subject2 on the ground that I have neglected the effect of a possible variation of the E layer attenuation during the three-quarters of an hour or so in which the observations were taken. Such a variation of E layer attenuation would involve a spurious contribution to the slope of the log , P curve, which would invalidate the calculation of the collision frequency. But where the reflection coefficient decreases to a minimum and rises again (as in all cases observed), there are two branches to the log , P curve, one corresponding to decreasing and the other to increasing, and the effect of a continuous variation of E layer attenuation would be to increase the slope of one branch and decrease that of the other by the same amount. The effect of the variation of E layer attenuation is therefore automatically eliminated in taking the mean of the slopes of the two branches.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
NATURE, 135, 585; 1935.
NATURE, 135, 435; 1935.
NATURE, 135, 618; 1935.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ECKERSLEY, T. Frequency of Collision of Electrons in the Ionosphere. Nature 136, 953 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/136953a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/136953a0
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.