CHAPTER XIV 



RADIATION AND MOLECULAR AGGREGATION 



Summarily the result of association and dissociation — Or more 

 or less complex molecular groups — Eadiation from flames 

 — Tyndall's experiments on the emissive and absorptive 

 pov^ers of gases — Spectra of oxygen — Eepulsion between 

 spheres of molecular dimensions whilst radiating intensely 

 — How aggregates may preserve their identity — Catalytic 

 action — Effect of glycerine and gelatin on aggregation 

 in fluorescent bodies. 



The results we have arrived at lead us to a matter 

 of great importance on account of its intimate bear- 

 ing upon the problem of the radiation from hot 

 bodies, whether the radiation is due to the increased 

 amplitudes of the vibrations or to new vibrations that 

 result from molecular metabolic interactions. For 

 as the temperature is raised the collisions become 

 more frequent and more violent, so that when any 

 pre-existing vibrations are roused up, their amplitudes 

 are increased, and the energy radiated thus intensified. 



The question is whether, as the temperature is 

 raised, the luminosity results from their increased 

 vibration, or from vibrations set up by molecular 

 dissociation or association, or from both. 



It is our endeavour to show that the luminosity 



