A Brief Account of Radio-Activity

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF RADIO-ACTIVITY CHAPTER I DISCOVERY OF RADIO-ACTIVITY THF. ohject. or t.his hrief t.reatj~e is to give a simple account of the development of our knowledge of radioactivity and its bearing on chemical and physical science. lIathem a ... Read more

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF RADIO-ACTIVITY CHAPTER I DISCOVERY OF RADIO-ACTIVITY THF. ohject. or t.his hrief t.reatj~e is to give a simple account of the development of our knowledge of radioactivity and its bearing on chemical and physical science. lIathem atical processes will be Olnitted, as it is sufficient to give the assured results from calculations which arc likely to be beyond the training of the reader. Experimental evidence "rill be given in detail wherever it is fundamental and necessary to a confident grasp of some of the lnarvelous deductions in this new branch of sci~nce. Theories cannot be avoided, but the facts remain while theories grow old and are discarded for others more in accord with the facts. As so often happens in the history of science, the opening up of this new field with its fascinating dis- The closures was due to an investigation under- Beginning taken for another purpose but painstakingly carried out with a mind open to the truth whereve Table of Contents CONTENTS; CHAPTER T; DISCOVERY OF RADIO-ACTIVITY PAGE; The· beginning - RlLdi~active bodies - An atomic propertyDiscovery; of new radi~active bodit's - Discovery of Poloniwn; - Discovery of Uadium - Other radio-acti ve bodies found 1; CHAPTER II; PROPERTIES OF THE RADIATIONS; Ionization of Gases - Experimental confirmation - Application of; electric field - Size and nature of ioos- Photographing the; track of the ray - Action of radiations on photographic plates -; Discharge of electrified bodies - Scintillations 00 phosphorescent'; bodies - Penetrating power- Magnetic deflection - Three; types of rays - Alpha rays - Beta rays - Gamma rays -; Measurement of radiations - Identifications of the rays 7; CHAPTER III; CHANGES L~ RADIO-ACTIVE BODIES; Radi~activity a permanent property - Induced activity - Discovery; of Uranium X - Conclusions drawn - Search for new radio-; 3Cti ve bodies - ~ethods of investigation - Nature ot the; radiation ** Less