Velocity Distribution of Atomic Electrons by the Method of Electron Impact

Abstract

When gas atoms are bombarded with electrons traveling with a speed which is large compared to the orbital speeds of the atomic electrons, a bombarding electron collides either with the nucleus or an atomic electron. In the latter case the distribution-in-energy of the electrons scattered at a given angle gives directly the distribution-in-component-velocity of the atomic electrons. The two distribution functions are of the same form.