Artificial Disintegration of the Elements¹

Abstract

SINCE the development of the atomic theory on an experimental foundation by Dalton, the progress of chemistry has been based on the central idea of the permanency and indivisibility of the atoms of the elements. The whole experience of chemistry for nearly a century had shown clearly that it was impossible to break up the atoms of the elements by the application of ordinary chemical and physical processes. This idea has had to be modified to some extent by the rapid growth of our knowledge during the last twenty years of the inner constitution of the atoms.