The Ionization Processes in Methane Interpreted by the Mass Spectrograph

The ionization processes occurring when C${\mathrm{H}}_4$ molecules are ionized by controlled electron impact have been determined with the aid of the mass spectrograph. C${\mathrm{H}}_4^{+}$ and C${\mathrm{H}}_3^{+}$ are the only ions formed, and by a study of their relative intensities under different conditions of pressure and voltage, it was found that both these ions are formed directly by the electron impact. The ionization processes are: C${\mathrm{H}}_4$=C${\mathrm{H}}_4^{+}$+${\mathrm{E}}^{-}$ (14.5 volts); C${\mathrm{H}}_4$=C${\mathrm{H}}_3^{+}$+H+${\mathrm{E}}^{-}$ (15.5 volts).