The motion of electrons in gases

Abstract
The velocity ( v ) of an electron in a gas, due to an electric field of strength X, is given approximately by theoretical formula v = 0·815 X e λ/ m V. where e denotes the charge on the electron, λ its mean free path, m its mass, and V its mean velocity of thermal agitation. Townsend has made many determinations of this velocity v , and also of V, in several gases at different pressures ( p ) and finds that v is a function of X/ p , and that the values of λ given by the above equation are of the same order, in most cases, as those deduced from the viscosity by means of the kinetic theory of gases. The equation v = 0·815X e λ/ m V is obtained by assuming that there is no persistence of velocities when electrons collide with gas molecules.

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