THE ATOM 106 



of the existence of which there is actual physical 

 laboratory proof. 



One each of the two known ultimate electriacl 

 units, then, form the hydrogen atom. Hydrogen al- 

 ways takes the form of a molecule (H2) that can be 

 separated into its atoms only under specific condi- 

 tions: (1) excessively high temperature is required, 

 as in some of Irving Langmuir's work; or, (2) at 

 ordinary temperature the impact of ions (as Nernst 

 says) will split the molecule. Hydrogen, a gas, united 

 with another gas, oxygen, as H2O forms a liquid. 

 This liquid again can assume various familiar 

 states. Hydrogen in other combinations contributes 

 to the formation of solids. 



Thus it is plain that the various manners of 

 combination of electrical units produce various 

 states as widely difiPerent as possible: 



1. Electricity, positive and negative electrons. 



/the gaseous state; 



2. Matter <J the liquid state; 



Uhe solid state. 



This broad reflection obviously in no way goes 

 into the various states of matter. The point is only 

 that the most diverse and seemingly unrelated 

 states and properties, or qualities, result from the 

 combination of the two ultimate units, the positive 



