New-York tribune., 1903-03-23
THE MYSTERY OF R4DIUN.

While Professor George F. Barker who MIS-
the chair of physics in the University OF Fenli-
svlvania. was in the metropolis last week. lie
discussed two or three Of the traits OF that re-
cently discovered element rad1um Inc SUI
tect is one to which he has given much stuu1
ever since Nine Curie made her "ohoeFidl air
nouncement in 1885, Professor Barker was one
Of the Arst to suggest the possibility tnaI rduiu
might be substituted for the X ray tube for pur-
poses of surgical exploration ana photosraphV'
inasmuch as it possessed the same properties.
Tins far the suggestion has not been acted
unon hacause the radiation from the new SUD-
stance is so powerful that the stuff is unman-
speahle. The burning effects sometimes OBJ
served when the vacuum tube is fn1udiclousiy
manipulated are here multiplied enormously.
Professor Crookes has said that pound or II
In room would Kill every one there. Inc same
eminent authority on radiant matter mas de-
clared that the energy represented by the throw
ing off of particles from gram OF rad1um I'M
teen grains) was enough to raise the Brlush
fleet as high as Ben Nevis. To utilize tn1s
energy industrially special mechanism, which
has not been developed, would be needed. Be
sides the cost Of manufacturing the radlum
vrouId he enormous something like $1OOOOOO
a pound, they say-and there appears TO oe no
safe way of storing or handing II except IN
microscopic quantities.
Still, even If this strange substance should not
nroye of any practical value for many years to
come. it has already rendered an incalculable
service TO science Perhaps it raises more prob
lens than II settles but it certainly throws new
light on the constitution and properties OF mat
ter Prior to the isolation Of radium 1t was
known that uranium and some other mater1ais
emitted feeble radiations. This element, now
ever, possesses that characteristic in so mucn
higher a degree that 1t provokes questions
which might not otherwise have arisen so soon.
The greatest mystery about it, as Professor
Barker says is the source Of the power eA-
hibited in emitting corpuscles. It seems to up
set the old law Of conservation of energy, ana
to illustrate perpetual motion. An y ray tube
is operated upon by an electric current, but
radium does vastly more work without any ap-
parent cause. It's behavior tends to confirm the
new theories Of J. J. Thomson. Larmor and
other physicists concerning "electrons," bodies
so small that from 1000 to 100000 are needed
TO equal an atom in volume. 1t strengthens
faith in the notion that atoms are composed Of
those minute objects and that electricity is
nothing more or less than stream Of such little
objects.
Revolutionary as would be the effect OF these
doctrines. If they ever established, it must
be remembered that they relate almost entirely
to varieties of radiation which are either newly
discovered or else Of little practical Importance.
Until recently the general public knew nothing
Of the existence Of X rays, Becquerel rays and
cathode rays. The most radical changes OF
older theories which are now suggested affect
only the tndivisibility Of atoms and the nature
Of electricity, which has been regarded merely
form Of force. AS yet the undulatory theory
of light appears to be untouched. This phenom-
Oh nc &c ir1{c
solubly associated and heat may still be looked
upon as vibrations in the ether and not ma
terfal emanations. It is not inconceivable,
either, that certain of the experiences of the
higher forms of life may in time be identified
as wave action. pure and simple.