The Carbon Atom in Crystalline Structure

Abstract

IT is one of the great purposes of research to be able to explain the properties of materials in terms of the properties of their parts. The division into parts may be carried to various degrees of fineness; and the nature of the research, its methods and difficulties, and the expectations of success will depend on the division that is attempted. The properties of. a piece of steel may to some extent be explained in terms of the small visible particles, crystalline or not, of which it is composed; the degree of division is determined by the power of the microscope, and results of great value are obtained within this range. But we may have, as a higher ideal, the hope of explaining the qualities of steel in terms of the properties of the atoms of iron and carbon and other constituent elements, This division is far finer than the other; but obviously far more complete and satisfying. The difficulties are great, but so also will be, we may be sure, the ultimate success. Generally it must be our aim to explain the properties of all materials in terms of the atoms, remarkably limited in kind, of which the world is made.