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Prof. W. M. Hicks. 



spherical aggregates, that is, all the various elements are compared, 

 not when their energies are in thermal equilibrium, but in the arti- 

 ficial association such that the energy of each particular element is 

 that which is necessary to give it a spherical shape. Nevertheless, 

 it is possible to get general ideas. The most striking one is the fact 

 of the periodic property of the atoms. The J 2 curve, for instance, or 

 the curve in the figure which, shows how the translation velocity 

 alters with increasing pitch of spiral, irresistibly suggests curves con- 

 nected with the physical properties of the elements. The abnormal 

 commencement, the regular ascending and descending series suggest 

 the connection at once, and open a vista of possibilities before 

 unsuspected. For the reasons mentioned above, it would be waste of 

 time to look as yet for any definite information. Before that can be 

 done we must know more about the conditions of stability, and the 

 behaviour of such aggregates when their energy changes. It is 

 hardly fitting perhaps to indulge in wild speculations in these pages. 

 Ia doing so, however, I hope they will be taken for what they are 

 intended, merely as vague intimations of possibilities. 



Let us then take the well known curve showing how the fusibili- 

 ties of the elements alter periodically with the atomic weights. 



In a solid body the atoms or molecules can have very little trans- 

 latory motion. They will therefore take such forms, or their energy 

 will be such as to make this translation small. Now take a spherical 

 aggregate. If it has a large translation velocity its energy must be 

 diminished to render this less — it will take a more elongated form 

 with a small velocity of translation. In order, therefore, to fuse the 

 substance more energy must be put into it. Its temperature of fusion 

 is higher. In other words, it is natural to suppose that those atoms, 

 which when in the spherical form have a high velocity, will possess 

 high fusing points, and so on. Without criticising this argument 

 too closely, let us make the assumption that it is so, and see what it 

 leads to. 



Now look at the figure which gives the relation between the 

 velocity of translation (ordinates) to the spiral pitch (abscissae). We 

 are at once struck with the fact that we have aggregates with large 

 maximum velocity followed with sets of small maximum velocity (in 

 the opposite direction). This is one of the most remarkable features 

 of the fusibility curve. Suppose that the curves march together: 

 this supposition enables us to locate roughly the regions in which 

 the elements lie, omitting the early ones as abnormal. If this be 

 done we find the metals lie on the lower peaked parts and the non- 

 metals on the small flat portions above the line of abscissae. The 

 following results follow : — 



The metals belong to aggregates having an even number of layers or 

 axes, i.e., the outer rotational motion is opposite to that at the centre. 



