NO. II STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM PARSON 39 



The other effect is due to their influence upon what linkages are 

 already formed. We have seen (§n) that free magnetons weaken 

 neighboring groups of eight. This results in a tendency for un- 

 saturated molecules to break down in such a way as to form molecules 

 of other types that are more saturated, if that is possible. This may 

 occasionally take place by the formation of the molecules of the 

 elements, as in the reaction 



but more often by a change of the following type : 



4K -^«^ 3K<5>C,go) + K-@...B, 



which combines the two effects of the free magnetons. 



Changes of type A do not take place readily unless the resulting 

 elementary molecules are well saturated in character, for if they are 

 not, the reverse action readily occurs. The nature of elementary 

 molecules cannot be discussed at this stage ; but it is noteworthy that 

 the high molecular weights of gaseous Sulphur and Phosphorus and 

 the high melting points of Carbon and Silicon are in accordance with 

 the fact that their oxides, even when unsaturated, do not break down 

 into the constituent elements ; while the metastable nature of the 

 oxides of Nitrogen is in accordance with the saturated character of 

 the N 2 molecule. The facts in these cases could have been predicted, 

 quite independently of any theory, from the mere conception of 

 unsaturation ; but the same cannot be said of the comparisons which 

 now follow. 



To see clearly the effect of free magnetons in loosening linkages, 

 it is necessary to compare the Oxygen compounds of some element 

 whose oxides are all metastable, that is, an element which will not 

 combine directly with Oxygen at all. Thus we eliminate the reverse 

 action which confuses the issue in the case of Sulphur, Carbon, etc. 

 Fluorine and Oxygen are too extremely negative to possess oxides 

 (except for 3 ), but we have an ideal case in Chlorine. Of the 



oxides of Chlorine, ^O^Cl-(^0^-Cl=^0) is found to decompose 



a O 



