The Disintegration of Beryllium by Protons

The disintegration of Be by protons of energies from 45 to 125 kv has been studied. The yield curve for a thick target has been determined and the ratio of the number of alpha-particles and deuterons ejected from the target has been determined for various voltages. The ratio was very close to unity. The ranges of both groups of particles were found to be 7.1 mm. From the energy relations the mass of ${\mathrm{Be}}^8$ was found to be 8.0074. The experimental value of the effective area for collision was found to be of the same magnitude as that predicted by Gamow's theory of the penetration of a potential barrier by protons having zero angular momentum.