14 STROM EYER, Grouping of Chemical Elements. 



It is a mere coincidence that the seven notes in one octave, 

 whose correct relationship is expressed by the ratios of 

 the multiples of the prime numbers I, 2 and 3, should 

 coincide with points of a scale representing compound 

 interest of 5"95 per cent., which doubles itself in twelve 

 intervals. The same coincidence does not exist with 

 regard to the atomic weights but the irregular spacing of 

 the groups suggests the probability that in this case, as 

 in music, the relationship between the elements is not 

 expressible by a continuous curve. The formula given in 

 this paper may, however, be found useful in predicting the 

 atomic weights of undiscovered elements, and possibly 

 the irregular spacing of the groups may, as suggested by 

 Stoney, indicate^some of the properties of the elements, 

 or the wide gaps between the groups may suggest their 

 being filled up. 



If the term 



- sin{(N - 2)22"5°} 



be added to the empirical formula, the sixteen groups 

 can be reduced to eight, and their positions and intervals 

 are as follows : — 



Group ... 



0&8 



1 &9 



2& IO 



3&11 



4& 12 



5&i3 



6& 14 



7&I5 



8&16 



Group 

 Position 



-0-32 



116 



177 



3-01 



372 



475 



— 



6 90 



7-68 



Intervals ... 



1-44 



o"6i 



1*24 



061 



1 '03 say i - o7&i - o8 



078 



These intervals are approximately I 2/3, 2/3, 1 2/3, 2/3, 

 etc., or as 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, etc. Of course the discrepancies 

 between the actual and the calculated atomic weights 

 which in the present table are small, will be somewhat 

 increased by such a rearrangement. 



