Viscosity in an Electric Field of Mixtures of Polar Gases with Argon and Helium

The influence of an electric field on the viscosity of mixtures of polar gases with argon and helium has been measured using a capillary bridge. The relative change of the viscosity coefficient r]3 has been obtained in this way. A theory of the effect is sketched along similar lines to those fo l lowed by Tip f o r the magnetic case. The half value of the field is shown experimentally to be linear in the concentration. Moreover, a comparison of the experimental data with the theory yields cross section ratios of noble-polar collisions versus polar-polar collisions, both for the reorientation and for rotational energy transfer. The reorientation collision frequencies are compared to those obtained from non-resonant microwave absorption.