292 INTRA-ATOMIC ENERGY. 



London Sir Oliver Lodi>e, referring to experiments in radio-activit}^, 

 expressed himself as follows: 



The evolution or tranHforniation of matter is experimentally demonstrated by 

 experinientH ni)on radio-activity. The heavy atoms <if radio-active l)odies apj)ear to 

 collapse and throw off atoms of low atomic weight. It might be thought that this 

 hypothesis about the degradation and instability of the atoms is mere speculation, 

 l)ut it is the most reasonable explanation of the observed phenomena. According to 

 the electric theory of matter, i. e., on the view that the atom contains electrons 

 with rapid intra-atomic movements obeying laws like astronomical laws, this insta- 

 bility ought to exist. We must not suppose that atoms are permanent and eternal. 

 We may possibly iind a rise and decay in ordinary matter. The history of an atom 

 presents analogies with that of a solar system. On the electric theory of matter, the 

 falling together of electrons might produce the electric aggregate known as an atom, 

 and its subse(juent gradual decay or separation into other forms would be accompa- 

 nied by epochs of radio-activity. " 



In an addi-ess, also <|uite reeent. Sir William Crookes arrived at an 

 analogous conclusion : 



This fatiil quality of atomic dissociation ajjpears to Ix; universal and operates when- 

 ever we brush a piece of glass with silk; it works in the sunshine and raindrops, 

 and in the lightnings and flame; it prevails in the waterfall and the stormy sea. 

 And although the whole range of human experience is all too short to afford a 

 parallax whereby the date of the extinction of matter can be calculated, protyle, the 

 "formless mist," once again may reign supreme, and the hour hand of eternity will 

 have completed one revolution.'' 



Let us now I'eeapitulate. 



By this long analysis Ave have followed the atom from its l)irth to 

 its decline. We have seen it forming, developing, then beginning to 

 disappear. Trying to ascertain its nature we have -shown that it con- 

 stitutes a tremendous reservoir of energy, and is prol)ably nothing but 

 condensed energ}^ susceptible of being slowly dissociated. 



We are certainly ignorant of the nature and mode of action of 

 forces capable of condensing a part of the ether that fills the universe 

 into atoms of any gas whatever — such as hydrogen or helium, for 

 example — then of transforming such gas into substances like sodium, 

 lead, or gold, but the changes observed in the stars show that forces 

 capable of producing such transformation actuall}^ exist, that they 

 have operated in the past and still continue to operate. 



According to Laplace's theory of cosmogeny the sun and planets 

 were at first a great rotating nebula at whose center a nucleus formed 

 and from which rings were successively detached, which later formed 

 the earth and other planets. At first gaseous, these masses became 

 gradually cooled, and the space primitivel}^ filled b}^ the nebida was 

 occupied only by a few globes that continue to rotate around their 



'^'Physical Society, session of .Tune 3, 1903. Reported in Chemical News June 19, 

 1903. 



''Chemical News, .June 12, 1903, ]>. 2H\. [See also iiresent Smithsonian Report, 

 p. 241.] 



