Aspects of vapor adsorption on solids

The paper describes three unexpected phenomena which were observed during studies of the vapour adsorption onto solids. A quadratic variation of the adsorption of water onto borosilicate glass is found at low pressures. Water films condensed onto mica start to conduct electricity at a thickness of almost exactly one monolayer, with fluctuations in the conductivity in the region of onset. Diffusion through a background atmosphere slows the adsorption process and asymetrical fluctuations in thickness are observed.