Abstract
Bismuth bombarded with 32-Mev alpha-particles becomes radioactive. Two ranges of alpha-particles are emitted, one of 6.55 cm and one of 4.52 cm. These two alpha-particles are not genetically related. There are also x-rays which show the absorption characteristics of polonium x-rays. All these radiations separate together chemically as element 85, and all show the same half-life of 7.5 hours. The probable explanation of these effects is the following: , by an () reaction, goes to , which decays either by -electron capture to actinium C'() or by alpha-particle emission (range 4.5 cm) to . The 6.5-cm alpha-particles are those of actinium C'. According to this scheme the second branch from leads to which should decay to . As yet we have been unable to find this activity. We discuss the chemical properties of element 85 and show that in general its behavior is that of a metal.
- Received 16 July 1940
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.58.672
©1940 American Physical Society