1920. No. 2. ON THE X-RAY SPECTRA. 47 



When we consider the result of this comparison on the basis of our 

 scheme with regard to the constitution of the surface systems we arrive 

 at the following conclusions: 



The atomic volume is no doubt greatly influenced by the magnitude 

 of the radius of the surface ring; but besides it is greatly influenced 

 from other causes, which in certain cases may even more than counter- 

 balance the effect due to change of radius. 



The particular manner in which the atoms are grouped together in 

 the condenced agregate forms is likely to play an important part in 

 this respect. 



Also the variation of the atomic volume is in favour of our two 

 fundamental assumptions with regard to the constitution of the surface 

 systems: 

 i) All elements belonging to the same period has the same quant- 

 number. 

 2) The quantnumber increases by one unit when we pass from one 



period to the next one. Also, when we consider the atomic volumes, 



the best agreement is got when the quantnumber of the first period 



is put equal to i. 



The constitution of the surface systems previously assumed is re- 

 presented in Table XX. 



This scheme accounts for a number of properties of the elements; 

 but there are a few instances of disagreement which are very remarkable. 

 Thus from the point of view of the atomic constitution here proposed 

 the element Mn ought to show similar properties as ths halogens, and 

 further there is nothing in the present scheme which can explain the 

 singular position ot the inert gases. 



I think the reason for this incompleteness of the scheme is that the 

 whole mechanisme of atomic constitution is not given only by the number 

 of electrons of the rings and their cjuantnumbers. 



The electrons as part of the atomic systems are not to be regarded 

 as independent centres of force only acting on each other with ordinary 

 repulsing forces; but they are attached to each other in some other way. 



Thus the electrons of the same ring are forced to take up quite 

 definite orbits either circular or elleptic, and we may also imagine a 

 mutual connection between the motions of the various ring systems. Now 

 it is quite possible that these mutual relations may modify the pro- 

 perties of the atoms both as regards spectra, chemical and physical 

 properties. 



