IRRADIATION OF CHLOROFORM–WATER SYSTEMS WITH CO60 GAMMA-RAYS AND BETATRON X RAYS

Abstract

The production of acid from two commercial brands of chloroform, on exposure to Co⁶⁰ gamma-rays and high energy X rays from a betatron, has been measured. Inhibitor-free chloroform liberates acid in amounts varying linearly with the radiation dose. The specific yield, in micromoles of acid produced per liter of chloroform per kiloroentgen, varies inversely as the square root of the dose rate. The specific yields are slightly less for betatron radiations, compared with Co⁶⁰ gamma-rays. The average lifetime of the free radical chains is about one second.