Evening star., 1932-08-21
SECRET OF MATTER
NEARER SOLUTION
German Scientists Base
Hope on Success in Smash.
ing Atoms of Lead.
BY w. E. BROCKMANN.

(Copyright. 1892. by the Associated Press).
= BERLIN. August 20.-Smashing Of
the atoms of lead. second heaviest metal.
with the new high power German x
ray tube was described in detail yester-
day by two young scientists. Arno Brasch
and Fritz Langc, who said they be-
lieve they are close to solution of the
long-sought secret of the constitution
of matter itself
Iner giant-power tube. smashing
atoms by the millions. dispoSes Of the
myth that unlocking the energy of
the atom" might some day produce ex-
plosive energy capable Of destroying the
world. thev said
Tnev will soon start experimenting
with the rays Of the new tube again to
determine their effectiveness against
cancer
Brasch and Lange were seen at the
physics institute of the University Of
Berlin, where they are working far into
the nights setting up still more power
full tube with which they hope to dis
integrate the atoms of uranium, the
heaviest of all elements.
Process of Smashing"
A graphic idea may be had of the
accomplishment in distintegrating a
lead atom from the more than 200
electrons and protons that compose it.
Atoms hitherto disintegrated by scien-
lists have been "light"-that IS made Of
comparatively few electronS and pro-
tons. Lead has 81 outer electrons. each
bit of negative electricity, giving evi-
dence Of whirling around a central
nucleus like planets around a SUM- In
this nucleus lead has from 206 to 208
protons. each a positive bit of electri-
city, about 1900 times heavier than an
electron. And bound up with these
protonS are from 124 to 126 electrons.
The lead atom was disrupted by
voltage OF 2.500.000 The smashing
was done by a stream Of protons strik-
ing the lead.
I'VE had estimated previously" said
Brasch. that 1500000O voltage would
be required to smash lead, but $780,
900 sufficed.
This seems to discredit fantastic
tales about the possibilities from atom
smashing.
I'm its present status. unlocking the
| energy of the atom reveals only doubt
ful utilitarian value. Construction Of
new elements, such as gold, IS un-
doubtedly possible, but it would cost
i 81 100000 worth of electrical current
! alone to make the gold possible.
seek secret OF Matter.
"The development, however, has
brought us to the threshold Of the
secret of matter, and I am positive
that within an incredibly short time
it will be discovered"
Dr. Brasch said that in their stream
of protons about every hundred thou
sandth proton smashed an atom. This
smashing was done by what scientists
call direct hit" on the nucleus OF
the pulverized atom. The other pro-
tons seem to miss the mark, so wide Is
the spacing between the parts of an
atom.
The vacuum tube Is described as
about three feet long, two inches in
diameter. consisting of 200 layers OF
alternating pasteboard and carbonite
metal rings. 1t is operated in an OIL
filled cylinder to safeguard against
short circuits.
DR.. Brasch said it is planned to test
the effectiveness of the Beta rays Of
this tube on animal and then perhaps
on human cancer.
Intensities of Rays.
The intensities Of these Beta rays
(streams of electrons) he stated equal in
effect these of 1000 Kilograms Of ra-
dium figure far in excess of the
worlds entire radium supply, estimated
at around $50 grams.
Explaining that these Beta rays are
different from the X-rays generally used
on cancer, DR.. Brasch said: Beta rays
penetrate the skin more deeply"
Brasch previously explained in this
connection that the cathode rays, at the
extremely high voltage, were 100000
times more intense than X-rays. the
electrons penetrating the skin directly
TO depths hitherto unreachable.
They are especially suited for therapy,
he said, because of their absorbability in
matter and the possibility of influencing
them magnetically to secure focus such
as could not be achieved with X-rays.