G98 Plan of Atom capable of Storing an Electrion. 



through any point P within the atom, we see that if Q 

 denote the excess of vitreous over resinous electricity of the 

 portion of the atom within this sphere, we have 



•F=^ (4), 



because the resultant force of all the electricity of the atom 

 in the shell of outer and inner radii CA and CP is zero for 

 every point inside its hollow. 



§ 4. We may vary the work-curve within the atom as we 

 please, with a view to trying to explain the different radio- 

 activities of different atoms, and the different modes of radio- 

 activity which seem to be presented by one and the same 

 atom at different times. Thus for example we may draw the 

 curve with four or six or eight or any even number of 

 minimums, instead of the two minimums at C and N. There 

 will of course be in every case an odd number of maximums, 

 being less by one than the n amber of minimums. Thus we 

 may arrange for any even number of stable positions of 

 equilibrium within the atom. The w r ork-minimum for the 

 stable position nearest to the boundary of the atom is 

 essentially negative, and somewhat less (somewhat more 

 negative) than the negative work required to carry an 

 electrion to the surface of the atom from an infinite distance 

 outside. All the other minimums may be as large positive 

 quantities as we please. The magnitude of any one of them 

 is the explosive energy which will be spent in shooting the 

 electrion outwards or inwards by any shock or any kind of 

 influence, if it is displaced away from its position of equili- 

 brium far enough to reach an unstable position on either side 

 of it. Look for example to the diagram. An electrion 

 placed at C has stability, but only through a narrow range. 

 If it is shaken away farther from the centre than M, the 

 electric force of the atom upon it will shoot it out of the 

 atom, with prodigious velocity, which wall be but slightly 

 diminished by the attraction of the whole atom when it gets 

 outside. If it gets quite out of the atom, it will be shot 

 through the ether outside with a velocity whose kinetic 

 energy is something greater than the value of id at the 

 unstable position from which it was shot, provided of 

 course we can neglect its loss of energy by motions which, 

 while it is in the atom, it gives to the ether in the atom and 

 outside it. 



