The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-06-27
-0ietz on Science
SCIENCE WORLD
ADOPTS EARLY
ATOM THEORY
Ideas Given Two Decades
Ago by Professor
Finally Proved.
BY DAVID DIETZ
Scripps-Howard Science Editor

CHICAGO, June 27.-New tri-
umphs of science, including a COM
prehensive theory Of the structure
of the atomic nucleus, an expert
mental proof of Professor Einstein's
contention that matter can be con-
verted into energy, and the trans
mutation of one chemical element
into another, were described here
at a session of the American ASso-
cation for the Advancement of
Science devoted to a symposium on
'Isotopes."
One Nobel prize winner, DR.. F. W.
Aston of Great Britain. took part in
the symposium, and two other hold
ers of that coveted honor, DR.. Neils
Bohr of Denmark, and DR.. Arthur
II. Compton of the University Of
Chicago, we're among the distin-
guished audience that crowded the
lecture hall.
The hero of the occasion, how
ever, was DR.. w. ID. Harkins, pro-
fessor of chemistry in the University
of Chicago who heard the speakers
give experimental proof of theories
which he had advanced almost two
decades ago.
Forces Are Neutralized
Dr.. Harkins described his theory
of atomic structure brought up to
date in the light of these recent
discoveries.
The two fundamental particles
are the electron which is electri-
cally negative and the proton which
is electrically positive. The neu-
tron, in DR.. Harkin's view, is close
union Of these two particles, the
electric charge of the one neutraliz-
ing that of the other.
The nucleus of the heavy hydro
gen atom is now known to scien-
lists as the deuton. This, DR.. Har-
kins said, may be regarded as a
combination Of two protonS and one
electron
Scientists for a long time have
been familiar with particles given
off by radium known as alpha par
ticles. These particles are also the
same as the nuclei of helium atoms.
The alpha particle consists of a
combination of two deutons, DR..
Harkins said
Gives Simple Formula
The nuclei of all atoms, DR.. Har-
kins said, are made up of deutons
alone or deutops plus neutrons. He
gave simple arithmetical formula
by which the structure could be- ar
rived at.
1t has been known for many years
that the atoms of the ninety-tWo
chemical elements can be arranged
in a table starting with hydrogen
at place No. and ending with
uranium in Place go. Within more
recent years, it has been known
that the same element have atoms
of several different weights. These
are known as "isotopes."
According to DR.. Harkins' simple
rule, the lightest atom of any chem
ical element has a nucleus composed
of a number of deutons equal to the
elements placed in the atomic table
Thus oxygen, which is eighth in the
table, has nucleus composed of
eight deutonS.
Scheme Stands Forth
Isotopes, DR. Harkins continued
are formed by the addition of neu-
irons to the nucleus. Thus, the
first isotope Of oxygen has one neu-
iron added to the eight deutons in
the nucleus. The second isotope
of oxygen has two neutrons in its
nucleus.
The scheme devised by DR.. Har-
kinS is extremely simple and stands
forth in refreshing contrast to many
of the complicated formulate of
modern physical theory.
AS DR.. Harkins said laughingly in
an interview after the meeting, he
arrived at it with the aid of "arith-
metic and common sense"
a Chinese Jade carvincr eybioited