Evening star., 1947-10-16

energies generated can be pushed
upwards by many billions of cleo
tron volts.
In theory matter and energy are
different forms of a fundamental
entity in nature and are convertible
from one form to the other. Ura-
mum fission demonstrated clearly
the conversion of matter into
energy. The reverse process is much
more difficult, Prof Lawrence ex-
planned, and requires vastly greater
energies.
The proposal is to propel protons
with driving force of 5000, ,OOO, 900
volts. The proton, fundamental par
ticle of the atomic nucleus, is be-
lieved to represent 100000, 900
volts OF energy. This is what would
be produced if it were entirely dis
integrated.
A proton driven with 5000 900 ,000-
volt force would be stopped suddenly
and something would happen to
the energy of propulsion.
lncoTy Explained.
The theory. Of the validity of
which there is little doubt. is that
two new protons. which had not
previously existed, will come into
existence, one with a positive and
the other, negative. electric charge.
Presumably these two particles al
most Immediately will annihilate
each other
The negatively charged proton has
not yet been found in nature, but
there is little doubt of its actuality.
The practical value of making
matter out of energy is unknown.
1t will, however, carry experimental
physics into new energy range,
hitherto unknown on earth.
Meanwhile, DR.. Lawrence revealed.
achieved with the l84-inch, 1000
ton scyclotron now in operation at
the University of California.
One of these is the splitting for
the first time of an atom of oxy-
gen into four atoms of helium. or
alpha particles The oxygen atoms
are bombarded with neutrons pro-
PEELED with forces of 100000 elec-
tron volts. The alpha particle
fragments fly off with energies of
about 100000 electron volts About
40,000,000 volts somehow is lost in
the collision.
Hitherto this phenomenon has
been questionably reported from cos
mic ray observations. With the
new cyclotron. it can be repeated
as often as desired.
One of Major Problems.
One of the major problems of
atomic physics has been determin-
alton of the forces that hold pro-
tons and neutrons together in the
closely packed atomic nucleus. One
of the most widely accepted theories
has been that this nucleus actually
is very lively place, with the ele-
mental particles flying past each
other at enormous speeds, and that
these particles constantly are
changing from one form into the
OGIlCI NY Vic lHtCICIldllSc vi ClCC-
irons A proton is a particle with
one charge of positive electricity.
A neutron is essentially a proton
joined to an electron, single
| charge of negative electricity, SO
that the two balance each other and
the particle carries no charge at all.
Apparently every time a proton
is about to be repelled by another
proton in the nucleus, it picks up
an electron by passing close to a
neutron and itself becomes a neu-
tron. This process, up to now just
theory, can be observed in opera
tion with the new giant cyclotron,
DR.. Lawrence said
1t also is furnishing evidence, he
pointed out, that the neutron is a
radioactive particle. 1t weighs
slightly more than the combined
weight OF the proton and electron.
When it is resolved into these two
elementary particles. the extra mass
must be converted into energy.