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Chemistry for beginners

Chapter 31: THE THEORY OF MATTER
By Hereward Carrington
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Science - Chemistry/Biochemistry

About This Book

A concise introduction traces chemistry's development from ancient Greek and alchemical ideas through medieval practice to modern atomic theory and the periodic law. It explains elements, atomic weights, valency, analysis and synthesis, and differentiates organic and inorganic chemistry, including catalysis, enzymes, and hormones. Practical topics include spectroscopic methods, industrial chemistry, instruments, and ocean salinity. Later chapters address radioactivity, intra-atomic energy, electrons, astrophysical applications, and discussions on the origin of life and the philosophical implications connecting chemical theory with metaphysical questions.

THE THEORY OF MATTER

Without going into great detail, or attempting to trace the history of the various discoveries which led up to it, it may now be stated definitely that matter is built-up of electricity. For the proof of this, the scientific world has to thank Sir J. J. Thomson, who first popularized this view in his book “Electricity and Matter.” He was closely seconded by Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir William Crookes, and many other eminent scientists. On this view, matter totally disappears, as such; it becomes super-sensible; it is resolved into energy. Electricity and the ether somehow are responsible for matter, but just how was not at the time understood.

It took many years of patient research to arrive at definite conclusions; in fact, it may be said that definite conclusions have not even yet been reached,—though more or less unanimity of opinion exists as to the structure of atoms. The new theory of matter is that each atom is built up of negative “electrons,” and positive “protons”—the former revolving round the latter in orbits analogous to those of our solar system. The protons, positively charged, remain in the center of the atom; the electrons, negatively charged, circle about them, just as our planets circle about the sun. The number of these protons and electrons varies according to the nature of the element. Hydrogen representing unity, has but one electron revolving around a single proton; helium comes next, with two; and so on, up the scale, until we reach uranium, which has ninety-two. The positive and the negative charges balance one another in all stable atoms; and when this is not the case, the atom tends to go to pieces or disintegrate; electrons are shot off, which join some other atom, and radio-activity results. The nature of the element itself is accordingly changed, and may even be so fundamentally changed by this process that it turns into something else; i. e., the transmutation of one element into another has taken place, as dreamed of by the alchemists! Hence we often hear of the “new alchemy.” This, in rough outline, is the modern conception of the atom, and of the constitution of matter generally.