New-York tribune., 1903-03-26
4 NEW SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM.

Before the novelty has worn off from the first
great mystery which attaches to radium an
other is announced. The second is less startling
than the other, perhaps, but it fs not less
puzzling. NJ. Curie tells the French Academy
that this substance emits heat as we'll as partl-
cles of matter He credits 1t with possessing
the power to maintain its own temperature -
degrees Fahrenheit above its environment. The
difference is small. but that there should be any
whatever after ample opportunity has been af-
forded for radiating its excess OF warmth is a
wonderful phenomenon. If the reported obsef-
yations are correct, where does the superfuous
heat come from? Here seems to be new eX-
hibItion of perpetual motion, or something more.
There are effects without an apparent cause.
1t is unlikely that any practical use can be
made CT the discovery, but that fact will not
lessen its fascination for the chemist and
physicist.
The statement just made will need corrobora-
ton by other experts before 1t can be wholly
accepted. It is conceivable that an undetected
error has crept into the experiments OH which
the assertion is based. Moreover. the investiga-
ton has probably been conducted with very
small quantities of radium, owing to the diff
Guilty of isolating the latter. StiN NJ. Cur1e
and his wife (who has co-operated with him in
these researches) are already well known and
have q high standing in the scientific world.
When in 1898, following up a line of investiga~
ton with uranium salts begun by Becquerel,
they found what they believed was an entirely
new element. the suspicion was at first enter
tanned by others that radium was only an un-
known form OF a previously recognized COM
pound The fact that the opinion which NJ. and
Nine. Curie then expressed has now been al
most universally accepted by chemists throws
Vpbk ooboro roofoT - %hair bofG
Another reason for regarding this latest revela-
ton with confidence can be mentioned. Small
as is the temperature difference which is said
to have been detected between radium and the
air around It, 1t is considerable from scientific
point Of view. Physicians use thermometers
that show tenths Of a degree, and there are
laboratory instruments which are very much
more sensitive. Relatively, an error of 2.7 de-
grees would be so great that it is not easy to
see how it could have been committed by per-
SONS trained to precise measurements.
An interesting feature Of the Investigations
here referred TO is the part taken in them by a
woman. At present it is probably impossible
to say in just what proportion the honor at
faching to them should be divided between hus-
band and wife. The Identification of radium as
a new element Eve years ago has been credited,
perhaps inaccurately, to Nine. Curie alone.
There can be 10 question. however as to her
active participation In the work. She is I'M
doubtedly animated by intense enthusiasm and
equipped with marked talent for scientific study.
One is reminded, to be sure, Of the collaboration
between Sir william and Lady Huggins, well
/ known English astronomical spectroscopists,
and between Professor and Mrs. Ayrton, OF
| Cambridge, England, both Of whom are author
tiles in electrical science. The list could be ex-
tended further without much trouble. Still,
while the case Of Nine. Curie Is by no means
notable