New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 17, 1926, Page 11

EACH ATOM TINY SOLAR SYSTEM Some Facts About Mysteries of Science Washington, D, C. — A recent demonstration of the remarkable cffects of cathode rays when they are turned on various substances, a demonstration never before possible on such a large scale, has awakened interest in rays in general. Cathode “rays” are rays only by courtesy. Like their swifter broth- ers, the beta.rays of radium and like their more distant relatives, the alpha-rays of radium, they are streams of flying particles. these ‘rays,” are much more like a sand blast or a jet of water than | they are like beams of light or heat, or any other of the long gamut of electro-magnetic or So-called “ether waves.” The nature of the latter, it will be recalled, cannot definitely be stated yet, but they are most generally supposed to be merely dis- turbances moving through “empty” space, as a ripple moves over a water surface, or a sound moves through air. They vary from the long Hertzian waves of radio to the inconceivably small Millikan or Cos- | | mic rays. Each Atom a Tiny Solar System In order to understand the nature of the special “rays” or point, not necessarily directly opposite, another metal terminal was placed. At- tached to it was a second wire pass- ing through the glass wall of the tube, and furnishing the outward path for the electrical flow. The terminal of this outward-leading wire (inside.the tube, of course) is the cathode. - “It is when an electric current of high voltage is passed through such a tube, the discharge or spark jump- ing from anode to cathode, that the remarkable cathode rays are pro- duced. fused with the electric discharge | They are entircly distinct. isc from the cathode or out- | clectric current, and flow into the tube. They . are cmitted at right angles to the sur- face of the cathode and so the shape of the “jot” can be controlled by varying the surface. If it is ball- | shaped the rays fly off in every di- rection, if it is a flat dise, they move away in a eylindrical stream; and | it it Is cupped, the stream can be brought to a focus. Ever since Crookes’ covery of the cathode rays, knowledge in regard to them been confined almost entirely thefr action inside their tube Dbirthplace; for they will not penetrate glass of ordinary thick- ness. They will penectrate a very thin metal foll, however; and 20 years one investigator, Lenard, g0t a tiny beam of them through dis- our has to 8 Here Are Worthy in all colors. plique. ports. A box .. Thus | The rays must not be con- | vacuum | a “window” of aluminum foil about as big as a capital “0.” Except for such experiments with a weak little beam, cathode rays, for the half century since their discovery, have been imprisoned within their tubes like the power- fuk Jinn of Arabian Nights in thelr bottles. One of the most dramatic achievements of physicists in many years was the recent bringing of & powerful jet of cathode rays from “beyond the vell” of glass, out into the open air. This was done by Dr. W. D. Coolidge, who invented a giant tube with a modified ca- thode and a “window” of nickel foll three inches in dlameter. An electric current at 350,000 volts was discharged through the tube and a three-inch jet of ca- thode rays, made up of countless billions of electrons, hurtled through the “window” at a speed of approximately 150,000 miles per second — a velocity almost as |great as that of light. This fet shoots out from the tube for some two feet into the air and may be played upon any substances with which {i is desired to experiment. The tremendous bombardment by | swift-flying electrons, never before possible on such a large scale, pro- duces many strange physical and chemical results. Colorless stones are made to glow for hours as if red hot; certain gasses and llquids are turned to solids; and wounds are made on animal and vegetable tissue. Apparently the reason for the pro- | duction of cathode rays is that the | high voltage electrical ~discharge tears the outer ‘“loose” electrons from atoms and hurls them off | along lines of torce extending from | the cathode. These tiny “pieces of electricity” are stopped by the thick glass but find the invisible spaces | between the molecules and atoms and electrons of the thin nickle wall, and stream through. Collisions with | the molecules and atoms of the alr | stop them within two feet from the | “window.” | In producing cathoae r.ys we are tearing atoms to pleces—we are | reLaty breaking down matter. This | particular splitting up of atoms, however, is not the source of power that some dreamers have seen in atomic disruption. A great deal more |energy is used in sustaining the electric discharge in the tube than can be gotten from the electron | stream that comes out of it. It is interesting to note in pass ing that cathode rays are the | creators of X-rays. These latter most | usetul, penetrating waves are born |in a metal farget in a vacuum tube \“non cathode rays strike the target. | Unlike cathode ‘*rays” the X-rays |are not stopped by glass, but flow | from the target through the walls |of the tube out into the world of |air and other matter. Beta and Alpha-Rays For more than 20 years after the first production of cathode rays, rays of this sort were unknown in a nat- ural state. Such electric streams were thought to be wholly artificial. | Only when electricity was discharg- NEW BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1926. ed in & speclally prepared vacuum tube were they known to exist. After the discovery of radioactivity in 1896 and radium, itself in 1898, it was found that streams of electrons are given off naturally by the uranium-radium family of elements | (along with streams of certain atoms and a highly penetrating ‘ether wave.') The electron streams | from radloactive substances are ex- actly the same sort of “rays” as those from the cathode of a vacuum tube. but the naturally produced “rays” attaln greater speeds. They are called beta-rays. Some of them ! move at speeds of 176,000 miles a second, nine-tenths the speed of light. Naturally they penetrate some- what more deeply into matter than the cathode rays. The third “ray” which consists of a stream of particles is the alpha- rays from radioactive elements. In this case the particles are not the tiny electron satellites of atoms, but are atoms themselves. They are atoms of helium, one of the%simplest atoms existing. These flying Mercur- fes of the atomic werld come with a wonderful message for science tell- ing much of the invisjble building blocks of the universe. They are thrown off apparently by a sort of explosion in the atomic heart of & radioactive element, One of the greatest secrets they disclose is that | transmumtion is a fact; that one ele. ment really can turn into anoth The explosion leaves the original ele- ment somewhat changed in naturs while the helium atoms of the “ray” are stopped by collision with other atoms, and remain inertly mixed in the atmosphere or tangled in other | matter. Alpha-rays, or more properly al- pha particles, do not move so swift- ly as the smaller clectrons of the beta-rays. They fly at speeds of be- tween 10,000 and 12,000 miles per second, and penetrate into the air only between one and three inches. Since they are so much larger than beta particles they naturally stopped sooner. Alpha particles are positively charged while beta par-| ticles are negative. One does not need the facilities of a great laboratory in order to s the effects of the helium atoms sent flying from radium. with luminous figures into a dark room and examine it through a sim- |, microscope. It will be seen that figures do not glow uniformly, that on each there numer- tiny flashes of light. T covered with a pain. grain of radium mixed ple the but ous are one with enough zinc sulphide crystals to pre- | pare 65,000 watches. The atoms of | radium in the mixture, like l’!‘!mm atoms under all other conditions, ex- plode and send out the heliu atoms, Whenever one of these strikes a zinc sulphide crystal it makes a spark, just as a horseshoe does in striking a cobblestone. On a watch face about 200,000 such sparks flash per second. The activity of the ra- dium will keep up for some thousand years, but the sparking goes on for only a few years because by that time the flying atoms sm all the crystals. | are | Take a watch | two ! CITY DUMP HAS - OWN PHI[[]SI]PHY Dozen Families Live on Salvage in Dallas Dallas, Dec. A |Which its rubbish comes. A dozen families live on the sal- {vage from the Dallas municipai dump—Tlive on scraps others throw away; and a man has just con- |tracted to pay the city $150 a ing junk from the dump. He farms {out the privilege to others on a 50- 50 basis. There is keen competition for the junking rights. Livelihood From Scraps thrown The inci {every 12 |is scattered over the 17 acres of |dump to be burned in the open after the junkers pick it over. A tidy sum is wrested from these | discarded things. | On an autumn afternoon, |the haze of many wbout him, stood one of the older residents of the city of refuse, | looking off toward the tall build- |ings and fine | whence comes daily into this graveyard. rator burns 80 tons with much of the rub- { bish on which he exists. He lives with his family at the edge of the desolate shack made of scrap {two girls, aged seven and three, {and a boy of 10. “Well, it's an honest living, any- way,” philosophized the junker. 'he railroad lets me live on fits property from a damage § watch things and |in order. Find 1t Good Living ed once. led up. any. If you works you ving. You have Sometimes the od and sometimes not.” came on the littlo brolen He keep everything ker in a dr | scene, riding | down wagon was hauling reclaimed r bottles. His wagon, like those of and the rope har » made from dump scrap The nag came from the city pound, item in the dump's busi- Sther ness. | 'm a free lance here,” he said. | “Worked up to it from tho bot- { tor too hard and no money. the place, and now I picks everything. “Well, it's ‘sn to 2 |at homc up a tolable living. Make dump | | has its philosophies and its human {foibles no less than the world from | fires circling | Got mad, though, | This is just as good | getting t00 old for harder |} {month for the privilege of gather- | M| Two hundred tons of waste are |3 hours, and the remainder apartment houscs | 8 waste in a | boards and tin. The family consists of his wife, | because I once saved it | ) They know 1 | . Used to haul scrap iron. Work | Final- | ly, T got ’em to let me roam over | 88 work. This about as good as any— | W EXCLUSIVE AGENTS FOR Sk Sockints borVoss IN NEW BRITAIN MILLINERY Co.. EXCLUSIVE AGENTS FOR 177 MAIN STREED Novelty Gift Handkerchiefs of the Name WOMEN’S HANDKERCHIEFS of hand embroid- ered silk, printed linen or pongee. A surprisingly wide selection from which to choose. A box 5 ¢ WOMEN’S HAND PAINTED SILK 'KERCHIEFS | Also white or colored Linen Hand- kerchiefs with cut-out edges and dainty net ap- | The linen Handkerchiefs are all Swiss im- A Handbag is always appreciated. large which enables you to easily select one for the older folks, misses and even for the kiddies. | GENUINE LEATHER, assorted styles | REAL ALLIGATOR II‘ATHLR, pouch and envelope st GENUINE MOROCCO LEATHER ..... $4.95 OTHER LEATHER BAG BEADED BAGS for dres | VANITY CASES, containing pm"(lor box, lipstick holder and purse ... KIDDIES’ BAGS . IN NEW BRITAIN Our assortment is very r As A Christmas Gift | | Sl Stockings barVoas new arm strap, vles Supto....... $7.95 s wear $2.95 to $13.50 $1.l 5 and $2.95 & = A ik P % STODE o CHDISTMAS‘ CHEED THE BURRITT GIFT SHOP 85 West Main Street At the Professional Building Next to Raphael Building Our business is selling gifts all year round. Our shop is really the only one of its kind in New Britain which can give you true and efficient service in helping to select your gifts. SR Men in particular will be interested to know that a gift from our shop carries distinetion and character. Our efficient sales force is at your service to help you make the proper selection. ‘ RS Any article sent from our shop if not proven entirely satisfactory to the reci- pient, is fully returnable after the holidays. GIFTS 9/1(11‘ Grace e Home Gathered from every part of the world and brought right at your door by our importers. We are unable to list the many beautiful objects of art that we have on display. If you are in search for a gift out of the ordinary, whether it may be Book Ends, Pottery, In- dian Brass, or Antique Reproductions, pay us a visit. Prices range from— $5.00 .. $50.00 YL L TR WE ARE HEADQUARTERS FOR PYRALIN IVORY. Our stock is complete, consisting of sets or individual pieces. Compare our prices with any other shop and act quickly while our stock is large. $5.00 Du Barry Ivory Brush ........ $3.95 Gifts Made of Leather $1.25 Du ].zunl Ivory Comb . 95¢ Things made of leather are always acceptable and are sll) 00 Du Ba Ivory Mirror . $7.95 very durable. We have a large assortment of useful | $6.00 Du Bar: I\mv Jewel Case..... $4.75 articles such as Sewing C\%es for mother, Writing 2.75 Du Barry Ivory Puff Box....... $2.1 Portfolios for sister, Cigarette Cases and Bill Folds for .00 Du Barry Ivory Tray, medium. . 52.30 brother or dad, Address Books, Line a Day Books, Day 50 Du Barry Ivory Tray, large..... $3.59 by Day Diaries for both young and old. SPECIAL VALUES ON BOX SETS— e ~ $17.00 (3) piece Pearl on Amber Sets at $15.29 EXTRA SPECIAL FOR TOVOPRO\V $40.00 (12) piece Gold on Amber Sets at $35.75 Genuine Leather Memo Books, 69 k C CHRISTMAS GREETING CARDS Many Other Special Values in Ivory Sets EXTRA SPECIAL FOR TOMORROW All Dollar Box Assortments of Christmas Greeting : Cards for ... 69C Be sure and come early and take advantage of this special offer. Trostoria g ST boxed and Each Fifty feet of display space is given in our shop for Christmas Greeting Cards. A special clerk has been assigned to make your Chri mas Greeting Card selection pleasant and convenient. Unusual desigr created by Rust Craft and Davis of Boston, Shreve & Co. of San Fran- cisco, Thayer’s etehing by hand, are all cards sold exclusively by our shop. We have a card for mother, sweetheart, sister and brother, father, uncle, aunt and cousin. In fact, one for every member of the family. Many hun- dreds of designs to choose from. Prices ranging from—3e¢ to $1.00. Fun Galore and Profitable, too “GRAB BAG” BOXES Many useful articles as well as toys for the Christmas tree are packed in these boxes. We guarantee their value to be no less than 50c¢ and a great many contain a value of as high as $3.00. Don’t miss the fun of opening one of these Grab Bags. YOUR CHOICE—25¢ EACH. These Grab Bags will be on sale from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. only. Come early and get yours. Special Values in Every L75¢ WOMEN’S PURE LINEN HANDKERCHIEFS with hand blocked coloved border and hand em- broidered designs ........................ 98¢ MISSES’ COMPACTS ... OOC i, $ ]5'?)2 Final Clearance Sale 200 HATS formerly priced $5.95 to $8.50 NOW $3.95 Dept. for Tomorrow Gift Stationery, opes, ‘ted shades, regular $1.50 value at Open Stock 7 Piece Bert $2.75 value, tomorrow extra heavy stock, lined envel- $1.19 ’icce Cake Sets, and also 7 in assorted shades, regular ver st 92.39 23 Piece Tea Sets in beautiful two tone luster, lined with pearl, specially $6 95 . priced at Per Set up to $1.50 at . . Each 956 None delivered. 4 Piece Desk S £~, regular $5.00 value, made of hammered copper, for s« $3.39 tomorrow only pottery bage, in Lamps, complete with shade, “FOSTORIA” Decorated and Plain Glassware. The most complete assortment in the city, of various shades, stemware and individual pieces, both plain and decorated. The decorated ware is guaranteed absolutely to last ‘as long as the glass itself will. Salad Plates. in various sizes and shapes—3dc up. Stemware for the dinner table. A gift that mother will enjoy, from 46¢ up. A large assortment of Amber, Green, Blue and Can- , Candy Jars, Lunch Trays, Candle Sticks, Ash Trays, Cigarette Holders, at $1.00 each. SPECIAL VALUE FOR TOMORROW 3 Piece CONSOLE SET in beautiful Amber and Green shades, consisting. of one 10 in. bowl, and 2 4 in. Candlesticks at .. ey e e et sl 95 Other patterns for sports, afternoon, formal and evening wear. Priced up to ...... $1.50 a box DOLLS A wonderful selection of ‘Mama’ Dolls from which to choose., $1.00* $2.49 for Pictures, various sul\‘iccts, all values blue, brown and black; regular $2.75 value, at . .... Each No deliveries on above. =