The Delta independent., 1914-02-20


in the course of series of disintegra
tions consisting of eight or nine stage
and emits an enormous amount o
energy similar in some respects to tn
X-ray; and the discovery and stud.
of this new element has upset tn
whole theory of chemistry.
We now hear men of the most sci
entific standing talking about thu
constituent element of atoms, wheI
we had been taught that the atom wa'
the Ultimate division of any element
Such talk a very few years ago would
have placed the speaker in the class
of the ignoramus-such is the kaleido
scopic change of our positive scientif
ic knowledge.
Now, by the breaking up of an atom
of radium, we have added radio-ac
tivity to the more familiar forms OF
energy, such as light heat and cleo
tricity. And we may well believe that
these few forms of action are only a
small part of the energy all about us
from the disintegration of all kinds
of matter and elements.
We are justified in thinking that
this particular form of energy was
conditions, like its sister electricity,
1t is visible; but who can tell when
and by what means others may be
discovered?
RadiTrro ic aYnanCiva h1f
it may become comparatively common
and cheap. At least the energy that
we cad redio-activity may become
common and cheap. 1t is not so long
since Galvani had only enough cleo
tricity to move the legs of a frog;
now every residence contains enough
to do all the cleaning, lighting, heat
ing and cooking.
Radium exists in all the uranium
compounds, the more familiar of
which are: Pitchblend or uranium
oxide, large deposits of which were
formerly found in Bohemia; and car
notite, the vanadate of uranium, now
found in large quantities in western
Colorado.
Radium bromide is the salt in which
this element is usually handled. Tue
carbonate, sulphate, nitrate and chic
ride can be prepared from it.
The new element appears to be a
metal of the alkaline earths, akin to
barium and its existence has been
definitely ascertained by spectroscop-
ic analysis. Minute quantities of the
pure metal have recently been iso.
lated.
AS radium disintegrates it gives off
energy in the form of infinitely atten.
uated particles charged with electric
ity. They are emitted with extreme
velocity similar to light and are
called rays.
Three distinct kinds are recognized
called the alpha, beta and gamma
rays. A gas called emanation is also
liberated. These rays possess biolog-
ical properties. If seeds are exposed
to them for sufficient length of
time they will not germinate. Gamma
rays will penetrate the body of a man
without revealing the least trace of
the skeleton, so that it is not possible
to tell when the body comes between
the radium and the screen, provided
there is sufficient quantity of radium
Hence the power of penetration of the
radium rays is much greater than the
X-rays.
AIT ,1a1 5~-s, .fF 4,
burn on the body of Prof. Beckerel
caused by carrying a tube of radum
in his vest pocket led by accident as
many other important things have
been discovered, to the treatment of
disease by the use of radium.
The rays are given off in different
proportions. Alpha rays are the most
numerous, amounting to nine-tenths
of the total radiation. The beta nine
per cent and the gamma one per cent.
The different rays have different
powers of penetration and by the
proper use of screens it is possible
to intercept or absorb part of the
rays, selecting the quantity and quai.
iIy Vi IduluIu ueslItu LOT any purpose.
Radio-activity is distinctly a new
departure in the realm of natural
science. There is no analogy in all
the phenomena with which we have
become familiar through scientific re
search with this spontaneous disin
tegration. True, it has been goina
on for ages but the old adage, "notn
ing new under the sum-" has received
a decided setback when applied to oul
knowledge of this or any similar phe
nomenon.
Atoms have heen hnilt into rnnln