Summary The gradient G and the effective temperature T of a high pressure mercury discharge are calculated from the energybalance of the discharge. Taking the loss by heatconduction as constant and replacing the different energylevels by one single level at average height, we find formulas for G and T which give the right dependency on L (Watts pro cm) for L from about 20 W/cm and up. Especially the minimum of the gradient as a function of L (for a constant quantity of mercury pro cm of length.) at about 28 W/cm can be accounted for. The calculated dependency on m (quantity of mercury pro cm.) does not agree so well with the experiments, but the height of the average energylevel which is needed to describe the dependency on m as well as possible is a plausible one, namely 8 Volt.

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gradient l watts pro high pressure mercury discharge of mercury pro cm energylevel effective temperature

W. Elenbaas,.Temperatur und gradient des quecksilberbogens. 2 (1-12),757-762.

W. Elenbaas,"Temperatur und gradient des quecksilberbogens" 2

W. Elenbaas,"Temperatur und gradient des quecksilberbogens"