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Chapter 09 – The Dissoci...

The Dissociation Of Matter.

The Sea Of Energy

In Which The Earth Floats

by
T. Henry Moray

Chapter 9 – The Dissociation Of Matter

As we study the dissociation of matter, the importance of this phenomenon proportionately increases. After recognizing that, electricity may be considered one of the manifestations of the vibration of matter.

To maintain that stars such as the sun can keep up their own temperature by the heat resulting from the dissociation of their component atoms, seems much like saying that a heated body is capable of maintaining its temperature without any contribution from outside.

Atomic reactions cool, simply because the rise in temperature produced during the dissociation of atoms producing the incandescence is far too slight to compensate for loss of heat by radiation. The substances which, like radium, most rapidly dissociate can hardly maintain their temperature at more than 3 degrees to 4 degrees centigrade above that of the ambient medium. Suppose, however, that the dissociation of any substance were only one thousand times more rapid than that of radium, then the quantity of energy it emitted could more than suffice to keep it in a state of incandescence.

The whole question therefore is whether, at the origin of things – that is to say, at the epoch when atoms were formed by condensations – those atoms possessed such a quantity of energy that by their slow dissociation they have been able ever since to maintain the stars in a state of vibration. This supposition is supported by various experiments. J.J. Thomson arrived at the conclusion that the energy now concentrated within the atoms is but an insignificant portion of that which they formerly contained and lost by radiation. Independently, and at an earlier date, Prof. Filippo Re arrived at the same conclusion. If, therefore, atoms formerly contained a quantity of energy far exceeding the still formidable amount they now possess, they may, by dissociation have expended during long accumulations of ages a part of the gigantic reserves of forces piled up within them at their source in the universe. They may have been able, and consequently may still be able, to maintain a very high rate of vibration, e.g. stars, like the sun and the heavdnly bodies. In the course of time, however, the store of intra-atomic energy within the atoms of certain stars may at length be reduced, and their dissociation and rate of vibration may become slower and slower. Finally, they have acquired an increasing stability, have dissociated very slowly, and have become such as one observes them today in the shape of cooled stars like the earth and other planets.

If the theories thus formulated are correct, and the experiments of the Moray Radiant Energy discoveries so indicate, then intra-atomic energy manifested during the dematerialization of matter constitutes the funs’ .mental element from which most other forces are derived. So it is not only electricity which is one of its manifestations, but also solar vibrations, the primary source of life and of the majority of the forces at our disposal. This study, which reveals to us matter in a totally new aspect, permits us to throw unforeseen light on the higher mechanics of the universe.

Interest is now being shown in spontaneously radioactive substances because they emit elements which other bodies only produce in much smaller quantity. By thus enlarging on this general phenomenon, we encourage its study in more detail, as well as the rate of vibration in all things.

Rutherford, who studied radioactive substances with great success and, with Curie, discovered facts concerning rays from them, led to the designation of the radiations as alpha, beta, and gamma. The alpha radiations are composed of positive ions, the beta radiations of electrons identical with those constituting the cathode rays, while the gamma radiations are similar to the x-rays. Did these pioneers build better than they realized in showing the way?

Alpha particles are formed of positive ions. They are deviated by an intense magnetic field, but in the opposite direction to the beta rays or particles. The radius of curvature of their deviation is 1000 times greater than that of the beta particles. They form 99% of the total radioactivity of radium. They render air a conductor of electricity. Their action on a photographic plate is much less than that of the beta rays, and their force of penetration very slight, since they are stopped by a sheet of paper. This weak power of penetration enables them to be easily differentiated from the other radiations to which paper is no obstacle. Of all the emission of radioactive bodies, it is the alpha particles especially which make the air a conductor of electricity, and it is the beta particles of rays which produce photographic impressions. When a radioactive body is enclosed in a glass tube, nearly all the alpha particles are stopped by the glass walls; but inside those glass walls great things take place because of the electrical conducting ability of the particles.

It is supposed, from various calculations, that the alpha particles must have a mass equal to or greater than that of the hydrogen atom and a like charge. Their speed, as calculated from the extent of their deviations by a magnetic field of given intensity, is one-tenth that of light. Their quantity varies according to the substance. For uranium and thorium, it is for one gramme, 70,000 emissions per second, and for radium a hundred thousand millions. This emission may last without interruption for more than 100 years.

The emission of alpha particles, positive ions, together with the production of the emanation, is the fundamental phenomenon of radioactivity. The emission of beta particles and that of the gamma rays, which together form hardly 1% of the total emission, should represent a further stage in the dissociation of radioactive atoms. How puny are these compared to the total energy in the cosmos, but how close the relationship.

On striking phosphorescent bodies the alpha particles render them luminous. It is this property which is the basis for the operation of the spinthariscope, an instrument which makes visible the permanent dissociation of matter. It consists of a screen of sulphide of zinc, above which is placed a small metal rod, the end of which has been dipped in a solution of chloride of radium. On examining the screen through a magnifying glass, there can be seen spurting out without cessation a shower of small sparks produced by the impact of the alpha particles, and the emission may last for centuries. This shows the extreme smallness of the particles coming from the disaggregation of atoms. This emission is visible because each particle is made apparent through the enormous degree of lateral perturbation produced by its shock on the sensitive surface, in the same way that raindrops falling into water produce ripples which exceed their diameter. One may, by using certain varieties of phosphorescent sulphide, succeed in making screens showing the phenomenon of dissociation, not only with salts of radium, but also with other substances. Herein is the door to greater discoveries.

The high speed of the alpha particles seems very difficult to explain. This speed is intelligible enough in the case of the beta rays which, being composed of atoms of pure electricity and having a very small inertia, can acquire a very high speed under the influence of limited forces; but with the alpha particles, whose dimensions would appear to be identical with those of the hydrogen atom, a velocity of 30,000 kilometers per second seems more difficult to explain. It could prove profitable if these experiments of Rutherford and his co-workers were taken up again.

These velocities may not be produced instantaneously; they are only comprehensible on the hypothesis that the particles of atoms can be compared to small planetary systems animated with enormous velocities. They would preserve their speed on leaving their orbits as does a stone launched from a sling. The invisible speed of rotation of the elements of matter would therefore be simply transformed into a speed of projection, perceptible only by proper instruments.

Beta rays are considered to be composed of electrons identical with those of the cathode rays. They are formed of negative electric particles freed from all matter. Their mass is similar to that of the cathode particles, the thousandth part at of the hydrogen atom. Their velocity varies between 33%o and 96% of that of light.

They immediately render luminous by impact bodies capable of phosphorescence, even when separated from them by aluminum foil. The phosphorescene is very bright in platinocyanide of barium and some kinds of diamonds which are rather rare, but are capable of phosphorescence.

In addition to alpha and beta particles, the first charged with positive and the second with negative electricity, radioactive bodies emit an extremely slight proportion (less than 1%) of gamma rays, the properties of which are entirely analogous to x-rays but possess a higher power of penetration since they can penetrate several centimeters of steel. This property enables them to be easily distinguished from alpha and beta rays, which are stopped by a lead plate a few millimeters thick. (Ed. note: Written by Moray in Europe in 1914 when these penetration values were considered valid.)

One of the singular properties of alpha-beta-gamma emissions is that none of them can touch a gaseous or solid body without immediately causing, no doubt through the disturbance produced by their enormous velocity, a dissociation resulting in the production of secondary rays, which are similar in their properties to the primary rays, but less intense. These secondary radiations also expose photographic plates, render the air a conductor of electricity; and are deviated by a magnetic field. They are able to produce by their impact tertiary rays having the same properties: It is the secondary rays produced by the gamma rays which are the most active. A photographic impression through a metallic plate is sometimes intensified by the interposition of that plate, because the action of the secondary rays are then superimposed on the primary rays. Herein may lie a prototype of the action of the universe.

Emanations can be cheaply drawn from any highly radioactive substance: either by dissolving it in liquid placed in a receiver communicating with a closed tube and subjecting it to certain ray bombardment, or by bringing it to a red heat in a similar apparatus and bombarding it with rays. The emanation drawn into the tube renders it phosphorescent. It can be condensed in liquid air. This condensation is revealed by the localization of the phosphorescence.

At ordinary temperature, radioactive bodies in a solid state emit the emanation, but only a hundredth part of the quantity emitted in a state of solution and under bombardment of certain rays. By introducing sulphide of zinc into a bulb containing a solution of chloride of radium, the disengagement of the emanation renders the sulphide phosphorescent. Radium, when heated, loses the greater part of its activity because of the quantity of emanation it gives off, but it regains it again in about 20 days. The same loss occurs when a solution of this salt is heated to boiling.

When solid chloride of radium has been brought to a red heat, or a solution of it has been boiled for some time, or better still, it is subjected to special ray bombardment, it still preserves a quarter of its primary activity. This is then solely due to the alpha particles, as can be noted by the weak penetrating power of the rays emitted, which can no longer pass through a sheet of paper. It is only after a certain lapse of time that the appearance of the beta rays, capable of passing through metals, again takes place. The activity of the emanation is lost rather quickly. The rapidity of this loss varies according to the substance. That of actinium is destroyed in a few seconds, that of thorium in a few minutes, that of radium only at the end of three weeks, but it is reduced to one-half in four days.

Radium and thorium produce difference energy levels of emanations; that is, of dissociations which begin with the emission of the emanations. Five or six have been counted. The first engenders the second, and so on. They, no doubt, represent successive stages in the evolution of matter.

To these emanations are due three-fourths of the heat continually produced by radium. If radium be deprived of its emanation by heating, it gives out about a quarter of the heat it emitted before heating. Almost all of the rise in temperature is due to the alpha particles. If some emanation of radium is left for several days in a tube, one can observe the special lines of helium which were not there before.

Before drawing too many conclusions from this transformation, it must be first remarked that helium is a gas which accompanies all radioactive minerals. It was from these bodies that it was first obtained. This gas enters into no chemical combination; it will not liquify and can be kept for an indefinite time in the tube in which it is enclosed, a catalyst with an interesting effect.

This derivation from radium is a special helium since it appears to possess the property of spontaneously vanishing. Its only resemblance to ordinary helium seems to consist of the momentary presence of some spectral rays.

The emanation disintegration products of the radioactive bodies represent one of the intermediate substances. It is part material, since it can be condensed and dissolved in certain acids and recovered by evaporation. But it is only incomplete material, since it ends by entirely disappearing and transforming itself into electric particles and secondary particles. This transformation, which takes place even in a sealed glass tube, has been proved by experimentation.

Matter and energy! Where can one draw the line? The part played by various radiating substances in the phenomena of energy and life is a very predominant one. Most often it is the indirect reactions which reveal their existence in the phenomena of life and allow them to be isolated. All we know of them in their physiological reactions is that they lose their properties if deprived of the infinitely small quantities of mineral matter which they contain in a form that we suppose to be the ionic state.

Why go into these reactions? Because there is a parallel of phenomena which may to a degree help us to understand natural phenomena of the cosmos and of all life.

Vapor of water is found among the substances which become an essential part of the environment of certain reactions. Even in extremely small amounts it plays an important part in various reactions. Perfectly dry acetylene is without action on hydride of potassium, but in the presence of a trace of humidity the two bodies react one on the other with such violence that the mixture becomes incandescent. Well-dried carbonic acid is also without action on hydride of potassium, but in the presence of a slight quantity of steam it produces a formate. It is the same with many other bodies -ammonia gas and hydrochloric gas, for example, which ordinarily combine with the emission of thick white fumes, but do not do so after having been carefully dried. It will be remembered that by adding to dried salts of quinine traces of water vapor, they become phosphorescent and radioactive.*

On closely examining the role of bodies whose mere presence influences reactions we note that they behave as if energy were transported from the catalyzing body to that catalyzed. This fact can hardly be explained unless by acknowledging that the catalyzing body is undergoing the commencement of atomic dissociation. We know that, by reason of the enormous velocity possessed by particles of matter during dissociation, considerable quantities of energy can be produced by the dissociation of a quantity of matter so small as to elude all attempts to measure it. The catalyzing substances could therefore be simply liberators of energy in matter on the earth and in all the universe: As in the atomic pile the fission material is worn out, so also platinum black and the colloid metals are eventually worn out- that is to say, by use they lose. a great part of their catalyzing action. The theory involved indicates that all matter and energy simply represent a state of equilibrium between the internal elements of which the substance is formed and the external elements acting upon it. If this connection is not plainly apparent in some bodies, it is because they are so constituted that their equilibrium maintains itself without perceptible changes within the limits of fairly large variations of the medium. Water can remain liquid in variations of temperature ranging from zero degrees to 100 degrees Centigrade, and most metals do not appear to change their state within still wider limits of heat or of rates of vibration. However, these facts do not answer all the questions.

A succession of changes will be accompanied by the liberation of a certain quantity of the intra-atomic energy contained in matter. This is going on all the, time in the cosmos to such an extent man with his man-made devices can never hope to compete. So why not use “nature’s gift” of cosmic reactions? These actions, the mere presence of which are of such importance in the phenomena of life, may perhaps find an explanation in this theory. It was such studies on phosphoresence which led men to this hypothesis. It will be recollected that pure substances, various sulphides, phosphates of lime, etc., are never phosphorescent normally and only become so when brought to a red heat for a length of time with traces of various other substances – such as bismuth, manganese, etc. On the other hand, this elevation of temperature always provokes a dissociation of matter. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that the elements proceeding from this dissociation have an active part in the compounds then formed, which gives to such bodies the capacity of phosphorescence and sometimes other properties.

The combinations so obtained have precisely the characteristics pointed out above as belonging to extreme mobility; that is to say, of disintegrating and then regenerating themselves very rapidly. A ray of blue light falling on a screen of sulphide of zinc illuminates it in the tenth of a second, and a ray of red light falling on the same screen disinteregrates the phosphoresence in the same space of time; that is, it brings the screen back to its original state. These two contrary operations necessarily imply two converse reactions which may be indefinitely repeated.

These facts prove that by reason of the enormous quantity of intra-atomic energy contained in matter, a loss of substance too small to be detected by an analytical balance may be accompanied by a very great liberation of energy. We have no need to do this artificially because it is being done for us in the cosmos.

It is possible even without the action of heat to verify in ordinary bodies the existence of a constant emanation from the dissociated matter, though this emanation normally is extremely small in quantity. This all proves that the evolution of creation is going on continually.

To cause it to be apparent, it is necessary to compel it to accumulate in a restricted space. To demonstrate this, fold a sheet of metal so as to transform it into a small cylinder, similar to the one which encloses the ball of a condensing electroscope. With the lower opening closed, it is left for 8 days in darkness. Then, still keeping it in darkness so as to avoid any possible influence from light, the cylinder is placed on the insulating disc of the electroscope, or special ray counter instrument, to examine its radioactivity.After having charged the whole system it will be found that a definite discharge per minute is obtained. As the metal rapidly loses that which it has accumulated, the discharge soon ceases. Many materials other than metals, such as a box-wood cylinder, will produce the same effect; also certain gas-filled tubes.

The metal, after ceasing to act on the electroscope or counter, still has not exhausted its provision of radioactivity. It has simply parted with the quantity it can emit at the particular temperature at which the operation was effected. As with phosphorescent bodies or radioactive matter, it only has to be slightly heated to cause it to again yield a more considerable emission of active effuvia. The only difference between kinds of matter is in the rate of vibration or wave-length, the difference resulting in transmutation, changing and restoring. Evolution in its true sense is evolution from one rate of vibration to another, or transmutation: energy changing into matter and matter into energy, as we wrote back in 1925.

Cosmic rays are constantly creating radioactive carbon, and the fusion of small atoms to make larger ones gives off more energy than so-called “splitting” of the larger uranium or plutonium atoms, the uranium energy release ratio being only 1 to 1000 — that is only 1/1000 of the heavy atoms changed in the uranium “atom splitting” process.

“Nuclear fission” action is not confined to highly radioactive substances. “Atom splitting” is taking place naturally on this earth and on other planets and suns in the universe. There is absolutely no need of the hysteria that has swept the world over “atom splitting”, it has been going on naturally from the very beginning of time. Energy and matter cannot be considered strangers just being introduced to the world. When the evolution of matter and the evolution of forces are considered, nothing new is being advanced. When we consider radium giving off three distinct forms of energy-alpha, beta, gamma-we cannot help but see a relationship between electricity and matter. Alpha ray? Alpha particle (matter). Beta ray? The electron (but still matter).

Radium decays into other nuclei (radon gas) which emit emanations that have characteristics of energy levels higher than those emitted by the original atom. This gas generating alpha rays could be condensed into a liquid if volume would vary inversely with the pressure (Boyle’s Law). Thorium decays in much the same manner giving rise to higher energy products.

Now, if we turn to vegetable matter, we find energy is also being given off in a way similar to that of radium, thorium and other radioactive matter. This time, however, we find direct electrical energy being given off: Various vegetables and fruits will do for the experiment. A “volta pile” can be made of potatoes, grain, apples, onions, etc. Let us take the apple. In a “volta pile” made of 25 apples (50 halves) one can obtain enough electromotive force to light a flashlight globe. The living animal cell, like the vegetable cell, is also giving off energy, consuming oxygen and producing carbon dioxide and an electrical potential.

We find in vegetable, mineral and animal matter the same relationship, the same dependence on oxidation and electrical energy as we find in oxidation in stellar space, evolving energy into matter and matter into energy. Here we see energy and matter and matter and energy vibrating together.

Regarding the force of energy from the cosmos, noted experts in photography have found the light produced from this source of energy is much whiter than that obtained from ordinary electrical energy. This light burns into the film when photographed due to the great intensity of the pure white light produced, yet the light is easy on even weak eyes.

It is also noted that detail from these films can only be obtained by holding hack dense areas to about one tenth that of normal exposure even when nonhalation film and super flash bulbs are used, but the pictures are sharper. Let us again state: An electrical generator is in the true sense not a generator. It creates nothing. Electricity is not made by the generator, it is merely captured or pumped. From that standpoint an electric generator is an electric pump; and a Radiant Energy or cosmic energy device, a high speed ‘oscillating energy resonator.

If we reverse our imagination on what the telescope has taught us of the stellar universe, we will find that beyond the microscope we have the particles of which everything about us consists, obeying every law that is found everywhere from stellar space to atomic space. We find bodies in motion and when we think of how small the proton and electron are, and yet obeying the same laws of the universe, we may see the economic wastefulness of science trying to crack the atom, when nature, or call it what you will, is accomplishing the same thing for us in stellar and inter-stellar spaces. Why do something nature is already doing for us? Let’s use what nature offers, as I first suggested many years ago. From this conception, we might see that Democritus came close to a great scientific truth when he boldly declared that all physical phenomena reduce themselves to one thing-motion-or as we might repeat, “vibration,” “the sounds of the universe.” Let me repeat: do not forget the atom is but a counterpart of the universe itself, and that light and other radiations exert a mechanical pressure upon every object they strike, and that all these radiations are essentially electrical in their character. There is a breaking down and a building up of the atom continuously, and it is this evolution which is producing, eternally, unlimited power.

May it not yet be shown that the dissipated energy which results from so much transformation of matter which has heretofore been unavailable – or should we say, unused by us where it has only appeared to be unavailable – should now become available to us, an unlimited source of power through the discovery of the application of these forces. And that the discovery that matter and energy are one is possibly the sum total of all that has been found during the centuries of constant research? Are the nature of matter and energy to be judged by that small portion of the universe which is visible to man – man still limited even when armed with his most powerful telescope or with his finest microscope?

All space is saturated with energies which are vibratory in their ultimate analysis and very closely allied to electrical action. The relation of matter to energy an energy to matter then becomes the potential of the universe, one continuous series of oscillations, moving to and fro like a great pendulum across the universe. A steady flow of energy can had from the surges of the universe, just as a steady flow of water may be obtained from the surges of the sea.

Electrons are spontaneously being emitted from all nuclei found in nature, and every new discovery on the subject bears out the claim that all “space” is filled with energy, millions of amperes at very high voltages.

This is based on the disintegration of radioactive material, natural or artificial; but the same action is taking place in the “Sonics” (vibrations) of the universe with all matter and energy.

As long as the universe has existed, charged particles now called “cosmic rays” have been bombarding every planet or object in it, including all living bodies, at the rate of twenty times per second and with a force great enough to penetrate deep into the rocks of the earth.

Cosmic rays have been called “the death cry of the universe” or “by-products of the destruction of matter in the cosmos.” In the process of the evolution of matter and evolution of forces there is no “death cry,” only the “song of creation.” There is no destruction of matter or energy, only the cycle of matter and energy. Creation is going on continually. You subtract in one place only to add in another.

* The Evolution of Matter – LeBon