Physical Notes | Nature

ABSTRACT AN extremely ingenious explanation of the peculiar green phosphorescence observed by Crookes in his researches on high vacua has recently been given by Mr. J. J. Thomson of

Cambridge. This phosphorescence appears on the inner surfaces of the exhausted glass tubes whenever they are exposed to the so-called molecular bombardment of particles projected from the

negative electrode. Mr. Thomson points out firstly that, as predicted by Clerk-Maxwell and verified by Rowland, a moving electrified particle acts as a current of electricity and possesses

an (electro-magnetic) vector-potential. Now where such an electrified particle strikes a glass surface and rebounds, its change of velocity is accompanied by a change of vector-poteatial,

and the glass against which it impinges and rebounds will be subjected to a rapid change in electromotive force. But by Clerk-Maxwell's electro-magnetic theory of light this is

precisely what happens when a ray of light falls upon it. And therefore it phosphoresces as it would under the impact of an actual ray of light. It would be interesting to inquire whether

all phosphorescent and fluorescent phenomena are capable of an analogous explanation in accordance with Clerk-Maxwell's theory. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is

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ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE _Physical Notes_ . _Nature_ 24, 66–67 (1881). https://doi.org/10.1038/024066b0 Download citation * Issue Date: 19 May 1881 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/024066b0

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