The herald., 1895-05-12

physical properties are like those of the
other metals, particularly like those on
the upper loops of the curves of the ele-
ements (the first half of the periodic Sc
ries). its melting point ought to be much
farther below its boiling point than the
melting points of nitrogen and oxygen
(two OF the ''semi permanent gases) are
below their boiling points-20 degrees for
nitrogen and AZ degrees for oxygen. Since
the accepted absolute zero point of tenn
perature is about thirty degrees below the
boiling point of hydrogen, then from the
above deductions we can infer that the
absolute zero point is as yet uncertain.
Just here is where the new element will
come into play and help to settle this i'm
portant scientific question. Helium is a
curve. and in its genesis. The chemical
and physical pro operties of these two ele
ments probably show more of similarity
than that between the alkali and the aka
line-earth elements. Therefore the diff
ference of temperature between its lique-
flying and its solidifying points will be
very nearly the same as the difference be-
tween the same points of hydrogen.
The curve shows, approximately, that
the liquefying point of helium is about
-150 degrees,C G. AS this point is far above
the liquefying points of nitrogen and
oxygen G94 and 1871 its liquefaction will
no doubt be very readily accomplished.
helium just below the now known lque-
flying point of hydrogen. If the curve
value of the solidifying point of helium
is correct, it is possible to solidify it.
Even if it is not quite correct, as long as
the difference of temperature between it's
liquefying and solidifying points is more
than the difference between the liquefy-
ing point of hydrogen and the absolute
zero point, it will show that the solidify-
ing point of hydrogen is below the So
called absolute zero point, and in the re-
gion of the unknowable.
But are the accepted conceptions in re-
gard to the absolute zero point of temper
ature correct? By referring to the article
heat in the encyclopedia Britannica, it will
be seen that the leader of science, Lord
Kelvin, makes the absolute zero point by
refined calculations to be exactly -273. 10C.
This result is arrived at by considering
the change of volume of substance for
an increase or decrease of one degree OF
temperature, to be the same over the
whole range of temperature. But this
change of volume occurring with change
of temperature the formulation of which
is known as Boyle's law, is known to be
only approximately exact. Besides, near
the points of physical change-the melt
ing, boiling, dissociating and critical
ponts-the variation from Boyle's law is
quite pronounced.
Besides formula in the above article,
on which Kelvin lays great value, for the
above reason becomes uncertain when ap-
preaching two points and indeterminate
when these points are reached One
point is the (upper) critical point of
water, above which water can only exist
as steam. 720 degrees c.; the other point
is at about 1876 degrees c.. whore ice
ceases to be covered by zone of its own
vapor.
1t is a recognized fact that that every
substance is surrounded by zone or
shell of its own vapor, or by a zone OF
some other gas. In the latter case, ii the
substance is sufficiently heated. the gas
will be displaced by its own vapor. This
point at which the vapor commences to
form or to disappear, according as the
body is being heated or cooled and which
so far has rece sed no attention. l call
the lower critical point; the other we'll
known critical point | call the upper
critical point.
Water sustains an appreciable tension OF
it's own sapor at 40 degrees @. (about
o. m. m }. and from my calculation this
tension does not entirely disappear (reach
the lower critical point until about -l9t
degrees G. The difference of temperature
between the solidilying point and the
lower critical point naturally varies
for each substance. For hydrogen
we will probably be within bounds
if we assume this difference of tempera-
ture to be one-half of that OF water, OF
about 100 degrees. This would make the
lower critical point of hydrogen 432 de.
grees G. In fact arrived at this figure
by calculation which cannot be given
here.
If the above reasoning is correct. ther
we not only can push our temperature
Investigations l59 degrees G below th,
accepted absolut. zero point of tempera
ture into a terra incognita. but we cal
also say that there is apparently no finite