Chapter 2, Problem 10PS

In 1886 Eugene Goldstein observed positively charged particles moving in the opposite direction to electrons in a cathode ray tube (illustrated below). From their mass, he concluded that these particles were formed from residual gas in the tube. For example, if the cathode ray tube contained helium, the canal rays consisted of He⁺ ions. Describe a process that could lead to these ions.

Canal rays. In 1886, Eugene Goldstein detected a stream of particles traveling in the direction opposite to that of the negatively charged cathode rays (electrons). He called this stream of positive particles "canal rays:"