Is Proto-Oxygen the Principal Constituent of the Atoms?

Abstract

As from Moseley's experiments we know the number of rare-earth elements between La and Ta to be 15, the mean difference between atomic weights is, from Mg on, for 6 atomic numbers, 16 exactly. So for Mg (Atw. 24, N 12) and Th (Atw. 232, N 90) we get (232 − 24)/16 = (90 − 12)/6;=13. Between U and Nt this difference of 238 − 222 = 16 is known to be a difference of 4α + 2β particles. But if the α particle is the real constituent of the atoms, 4α + 2β is the inner part of the oxygen atom (the additional 6 β particles being electrons of valency). That atomic weights are not twice the atomic numbers would be due thus to the formation of α₄β₂ = θ particles, or proto-oxygen, within the nucleus, and radio-activity should be the disintegration of these particles into their constituents. It may be remarked that α₄β₂= θis similar to H₄+β₂ (which might be the formula for the α particle).