New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-24


Those who sock for correct understanding OF
the traits of radium and four or Eve allied ee-
ynents will find e. fairly safe and helpful IN
structor in MIR. Soddy. He has done much orig
inaI work himself. He was long associated with
Professor Rutherford. at McGnl University IN
Montreal, who has contributed materially 10 the
preseut store of knowledge and theory regarding
these strange substances Finally he states his
convictions in a modest tone and conservative
sashion- That is TO say, he does not go SO lar
in his interpretations of fact as co a few other
scientific Of repute.
The phenomena to be explained are exhioited
with far greater intensity by radium than by
poIoniura, uranium. thorium and actinium. but
are almost Identical with those observed In the
behavior OF the others. Al least three distinct
kinds of microscopic particles thrown OF by
these elements Rutherford calls them alpha
beta and gamma rays. The first OF them carry
positive electric charges and produce strange
enec. on the air which comes under their hhu-
ence Dry cir is almost as perfect an insulator
9, sisss but alpha rays reduce its resistance
az 20 let electricity escape through 1t from
charged bodies. With delicate instruments the
~xtnnt 20 which the air has been so modified or
-yon,zed" can be measured, and that is the
Yneans whereby one form OF radto-actiVity can
be de;scied Tho beta rays are negatively
charged have a much higher velocity ana
power cs penetration and are able TO act on q
photographic plate as light does. The gamma
rays have no electric qualities. but apparently
ro.sess the same properties the X rays OF
RDntSen Ths beta rays also have prototype
They ACT ike tie so-called cathode rays. which
ara psrttcJes Of IIatter thrown of from one Of
4he terminals In a vacuum tube Crookes was
thu arst 10 study them. It is now thought that
the R5ntgen rays ara produced BY cohsion
between the swiftly flying cathode rays ana the
wall. of the tube In like manner II is Suspected
thar the gamma rays OF radiurn gre a prodrct Oh
g part OF the beta rays when the latter hit some
thing-perhaps the mass OF the radium itself
Tha curious glow of certain susceptible min
erals known as fuorescencs, was observed long
ago The only new thing about Il now is that
81 {. excited In a new way. Bombardment by
ethc- tic alpha or beta rays appears to DO the
work Some minerals respond more readily TO
the former and some to the latter. The most
marvellous thing about radium. the heat which
IT develops, Is believed TO be produced In the
same manner being mechanically excited by
collision between the mass and the outgoing in
visible particles. The velocity with which some
of them move is approximately that OF light.
This speed and the thermal effects afford
indications OF the energy which is being nber-
atsd within II has been computed that the
heat evolved Nv one grauns Of uranium would
ratss the temperature Of the same weight OF
water q single degree (Cendgrade) in thirty
years Rutherford estimated that radium would
do Il IN fifteen minutes. Curie and Laborde
shorten the time TO thirty-six seconds.
Several facts are mentioned ~ Mr.. Soddy
which have a bearing on the notion that trans
mutation is possible a limited scale A COM
pound Of thorium for instance, be so treated
that the radiating power IS almost completely
transferred to a solution and removed from the
original thorium Later. after a few weeks, the
thoriuIn RECEIVERS its power. Thus II would seem
that the true source OF the radiations Is some
thing which, though associated with the tho
rum, is really distinct from it. Rutherford calls
II thorium X.). II also looks if there were a
slow generation of this something. or how could
the thorium regain its activity? Several other
elements behave IN the same way. It is posi-
bic 20 extract from radium material that pos
20 per cent Of its heating quality, thus
leaving the original mass with the ability TO
emit Only % per cent After short time the
thermal output Is great ever Again, If
the air around small quantity Of radium IS
blown off gently into a suitable receptacle ii
acts SIS IL It carried with II another gas For
convenience thu latter is called the emanation.
II can be condensed by leading It through a
spiral tube surrounded by liquid air. Mr.. Soddy
says that the temperature at which the change
takes place Is 100 below zero (Centigrade) He
condsnses the enanation from thorium at 80
below.
Sir William Ramsay, IN his now historic ex-
perimentz with radiuIn, which are described by
Mr.. Soddy, obtains the enanation in q different
manner, and evidently has not attempted 10
HQuefy r. He carefully purified the gas sealed
II In g tube TO prevent contamination and then
sent 1t TO other experts FOR examination with
the spectroscope. At first there were no indica-
tons but after several days the characteristics
CT henum were recognized Mr. Soddy thinks
mat evidence Is thus afforded of two separate
uansiuons a portion OF the solid radiun is
converted Into gas whose character is indeter-
Inc emanauon then apparently
changes INTO hehunl That is the final stage Of
lHe transformation. so far as the chemists can
o'sooVef' The heium seeming 10 remain In A
stable condition When this element was fret
Detected In terrestrial minerals a few wears 400
II was observed that Il was found ONLY in tbosa
which also contained uranium and tbor,,,,
haoiun had not then been discovered bnt ss -
~ slwsyE associated with uranium Mr. sodd,,
suggests mat II was the former not the latter
IA winch the heliun originated. He thinks thar
II was spontaneously developed but remained
1nprisonso until the mineral in which Il ,,aa
hidden was heated These details certainly,
Strengthen the case for transmutation within
mario" limits and place Sir William Ramsay II,
more favorable light than the early and abbre
waited accounts OF his work
Ar. Soddy makes the Instrumentation 90 o-
oR tne ATOMS OF the radium the source of thu
various forms Of activity observed Only q few
atoms break down at a time he assumes h,.
Inc process is regarded as a continuous on.
ne amount or radiation thus becomes On ,nde,
OF The rate OF decay. The number Of atoros IN
q gwen quantity Of radium which break down
IN a day are supposed to be very nucb graa+.r
-'A-- INose winch Undergo change in thorum.