The New York herald., 1921-09-25

derived from the burning of wood and coal.
When any substance is burned a chemical
action takes place, molecules are disrupted,
and with molecular dissertation energy is
given off in the form of heat. When mole
cules are broken up we have atoms, which
may combine to make new compounds such
as the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
in the flue gases. So long as atoms were con
sidered the ultimate unit and the smallest
conceivable subdivision of matter no one
thought of possibly deriving more energy
than is to be had by the step from the
molecule to the atom.
But this is changing. Through research
on atomic structure and experiments with
apparatus but lately available we have
come to know that the atom is composed
of many parts some going so far as to say
that all matter all elements, iron, copper,
gold, &c., are made from the same stuff,
the difference being in the number ar
rangement and movement of these parti
cles which go to make the atoms.
If we but knew how to break down these
atoms!
Scientists believe that from atomic dis
sociation could be derived such vast guam
titles of energy that our whole civilization
would be changed, and one of them has
said that man will some day date his ac-
complishments from the discovery of how
to use the energy bound up in the atom.
If word is taken to represent the mole
cule, then the letters of which the word is
composed will represent atoms, and, very
roughly, the small lines making up the
letter the particles, which, when caused to
fly apart will release the energy holding
them together.
Thus far the whole conception is largely
theory, and yet we know that elementA do
break down, though slowly.
Radium Good Example
Of What Research Does
Radium is an example. The emanations
which cause it to glow have wonderful
penetration power, which fact is used in
medicinal research. Such is the energy
released in this phenomenon that some one
has estimated two pounds as the quantity
of radium which would be required to
furnish power for great ship for some
thousands of years!
When you see how inefficiently we use
the energy we now have you may well in
quire what is being done with such
at work.
1t has been found that in place of 60 per
cent. we may use 80 per cent. or more of
the energy in motor fuels by giving chem
istry an opportunity to aid. BY a close
study of the variables in the combustion
of motor fuel in the motor those most
important in obtaining complete combus-
tion as wanted have been determined.
Fortunately these lend themselves very
well to automatic control. which, it seems,
can be had with a simply designed carbu-
reter and the help of the suction in the
manifold. Trials show forty miles per
gallon with a small car as result.
One of the worries of the average electric
power plant manager is how to use the elec-
tricity which they can produce at times
when the usual demand is absent. This
is especially the case with water power
installations. Storage batteries are OF
course possibility, but the lchemist sug-
gests using the culyent to break water
into it's component gases, oxygen and
hy drogen; store the gases. which is a COM
paratively easy job, and then use the gases
to promote industrial chemical reactions.
BY enriching the air used in some
metallurgical operations with oxygen the
desired higher temperatures would be at
tanned with saving of fuel and results
obtained which are now beyond reach.
There is a demand for cheap oxygen, and
research may be counted upon to find the
way.
And the hydrogen?
Science is beginning to make great use
of hvdropan tho nrincinal users having