Pronunciation: [kənˈal ɹˈe͡ɪz] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "canal rays" relates to its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /kəˈnæl reɪz/. The first syllable "canal" is pronounced with a schwa sound followed by a clear /n/ and a long /a/. The second syllable "rays" is pronounced with a clear /r/ sound and a long /eɪ/. Canal rays refer to a stream of positively charged particles that pass through a gas-filled space or vacuum tube.
Canal rays refer to positively charged particles that are produced in a cathode ray tube during experiments related to the field of atomic physics. Specifically, this phenomenon occurs when a high voltage is applied to electrodes within the cathode ray tube, resulting in the ejection of these charged particles. The canal rays, also known as anode rays, are typically comprised of positively charged ions derived from the residual gas present within the cathode ray tube.
These ions possess a significant amount of kinetic energy and can be observed within the tube as a beam of particles traveling in a straight line. The name "canal rays" arises from the observed behavior where they travel in channels or canals that are created by holes in a perforated cathode. The trajectory of these rays can be manipulated using various electric or magnetic fields, which allows for their investigation and analysis.
Canal rays hold immense scientific significance as their study has led to the discovery and understanding of fundamental concepts in atomic physics. They have been instrumental in identifying different types of atomic ions and elucidating their properties, such as charge-to-mass ratio. Moreover, they have played a crucial role in the discoveries surrounding isotopes, as their deflection patterns provided evidence for different isotopic species of the same element.
Ultimately, canal rays are a key element in the experimental investigation of atomic physics, aiding scientists in expanding their understanding of atomic structure, behavior, and the nature of charged particles.
Rays observed back of the cathode in a Crookes tube; they are analogous to the alpha rays but of much lower velocity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "canal rays" originated in the late 19th century and is derived from the Latin word "canalis", meaning "channel" or "canal", and "ray", which refers to the rays of particles emitted from a cathode. It was coined by the German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen to describe a type of radiation emitted by a cathode-ray tube.
