The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-29
Dean of British Scientists, Who F>s-
timated That A Cubic Foot of
Spice tof Etler) Contains
Enough Energy to Drive
Every Engine and Every
Furnace in tho World
for 4 Century
for 4 Century.

for 4 Century.
London, Sept. 27.-Is there any sign
Of an approach to the utilization of
atomic energy already Well, in n
sense there is. We cannot, indeed,
tap the actual atomic energy, but We
can use and direct some of 1t.
Many. perhaps all kinds of matter
even those not in the ordinary sense
radio active. and which never, or very
seldom. fire the atomic pro5ectile, are
able to fire electric particles very
much smaller in size and weight--in
size. incomparabty sfflaller---and Il
fire them with equal or even greater
speed.
Simple illumination, especially by
ultraviolet kinds of light. sufsices to
stimulate clean metals into this ac
ifvity Under the influence OF sum
light too. leaves of plants emit cleo
trio particles, and "a hot, wire also
emit them freely.
FROM ELECTRIC CURRENT
These small particles appear them
selves to be discmbodied electric
charges: and when a number are pro-
jected in a given direction they cor
Stitute an electric current The sun
certainly fires off such particles; and
crowds of them from time to time
ness near the eaEth. causing at least
one variety of magnetic storm. and
pretty certainly the aurora bcrealis
likewise.
1t has been found that a stream of
such particles in q vacuum consti-
tute an exceedingly mobile and trae-
table kind OF electric lever, quicker
in response than any material lever
tan possibly be. 1t behaves more like
luminous beam than material
pointer and it responds with cores
ponding quickness. OR II can be re-
gar6ed as an electric current controli-
able by something much weaker than
itself.
1t can be used therefore, as a tel
egraphic relay. and MS an amplifier in
wireless telegraphy. Very small re-
ceived disturbances suffice u alter its
course or modify it's strength. and
thus signals otherwise impercopi'able
may be strengthened almost without
limit; and yet they retain their dis
distinguishing feature. And If those
features have been acoustically I'M
pressed by aid of microphone be-
hold the principle on which modern
wireless telephony is mainly based
MARVEL OF TELEPHONY
That ordinary language has been
transmitted through the free ether
Of space across the Atlantic Is mar
vel; it could hardly have been done
unless it had been possible to utilize
some of the intrinsic energy locked
up in atoms Nothing like the major
quantity OF energy is tapped. only
subordinate and subsidiary fractions.
and even these are not really ex-
plotted.
They are only controlled and d.
rected by ingenious devices, We can
hail il. however, as beginning of the
utilization OF atomic energy. For.
unless the efectrons In the atom had
already possessed the extraordinary
speeds required, II would be hopeless
to attempt TO generate such speeds:
certainly 1t could not he done by the
actual methods employed. namely, by
merely keeping wire hot by an cleo
trio current.
RELEASED by JOSrLING.
The heat disturbance, like a light
disturbance--is sufficient to 1ostle
some electrons out OF the metal---that
Ia all 1t has to do---an1 when they es-
cape, flying with all the speed they
must all the time have had inside the
atom, they furnish 10 the practical
electrician an instrument of unsur-
passable promptness. and dehcacy.
I do not say. that this incipient
utilization gives us AZ yet any access
to the vast stores OF energy locked up
In the constitution of atoms, but
surely It II an indication that such
power is coming within our ken, and
leads us TO expect that developments
Of discovery will before long begin 10
show q possibility OF utilizing some OF
that vast store.
II there any other store OF energy
awaiting discovery In science7 In my
belief there is--but now / arm enter
ing on more controversial ground. Thu
other OF space Is = subject of debate.
Even It's existence 81 occasionally un-
der discussion and everything said
about II must be rccelvsd with cau-
f19n.