scholarly journals Discussion on the structure of atomic nuclei

Sir Ernest Rutherford: It was on March 19, 1914, that the Royal Society held its last discussion on the constitution of the atom—just fifteen years ago. I had the honour to open the discussion on that occasion, and the other speakers were Mr. Moseley, Profs. Soddy, Nicholson, Hicks, Stanley Allen, S. P. Thomp­son. In my opening remarks I put forward the theory of the nuclear atom and the evidence in support of it, while Mr. Moseley gave an account of his X-ray investigations, which defined the atomic numbers of the elements, and showed how many gaps were present between hydrogen number 1 and uranium number 92. Prof. Soddy drew attention to the existence of isotopes in the radioactive series, and also to a remarkable observation by Sir Joseph Thomson and Dr. Aston, who had obtained two parabolas in the positive ray spectrograph of neon, and he suggested that possibly the ordinary elements might also consist of mixture of isotopes. I think you will find that the remarks and suggestions made in this discussion fifteen years ago have a certain pertinence to-day. In particular Hicks and Stanley Allen drew attention to the importance of taking into account the magnetic fields in the nucleus, although at that time we had very little evidence on that point, and even to-day our information is very scanty. What has been accomplished in the intervening period ? On looking back we see that three new methods of attack on this problem have been developed. The first, and in some respects the most important, has been the proof of the isotopic constitution of the ordinary elements, and the accurate determination of the masses or weights of the individual isotopes, mainly due to the work of Dr. Aston. This has led in a sense to an extension of the original ideas of Moseley. The experiments of the latter fixed the number of possible nuclear charges, while Aston has shown that there are a large number of species of atoms each defined by its nuclear charge, although their masses and their nuclear constitution may be different. The essential point brought out in the earlier work of Dr. Aston was that the masses of the elements are approxi­mately expressed by whole numbers, where oxygen is taken as 16—with the exception of hydrogen itself. But the real interest, as we now see it, is not the whole number rule itself, but rather the departures from it.

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 892-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Dajnowicz ◽  
Sean Seaver ◽  
B. Leif Hanson ◽  
S. Zoë Fisher ◽  
Paul Langan ◽  
...  

Neutron crystallography provides direct visual evidence of the atomic positions of deuterium-exchanged H atoms, enabling the accurate determination of the protonation/deuteration state of hydrated biomolecules. Comparison of two neutron structures of hemoglobins, human deoxyhemoglobin (T state) and equine cyanomethemoglobin (R state), offers a direct observation of histidine residues that are likely to contribute to the Bohr effect. Previous studies have shown that the T-state N-terminal and C-terminal salt bridges appear to have a partial instead of a primary overall contribution. Four conserved histidine residues [αHis72(EF1), αHis103(G10), αHis89(FG1), αHis112(G19) and βHis97(FG4)] can become protonated/deuterated from the R to the T state, while two histidine residues [αHis20(B1) and βHis117(G19)] can lose a proton/deuteron. αHis103(G10), located in the α1:β1dimer interface, appears to be a Bohr group that undergoes structural changes: in the R state it is singly protonated/deuterated and hydrogen-bonded through a water network to βAsn108(G10) and in the T state it is doubly protonated/deuterated with the network uncoupled. The very long-term H/D exchange of the amide protons identifies regions that are accessible to exchange as well as regions that are impermeable to exchange. The liganded relaxed state (R state) has comparable levels of exchange (17.1% non-exchanged) compared with the deoxy tense state (T state; 11.8% non-exchanged). Interestingly, the regions of non-exchanged protons shift from the tetramer interfaces in the T-state interface (α1:β2and α2:β1) to the cores of the individual monomers and to the dimer interfaces (α1:β1and α2:β2) in the R state. The comparison of regions of stability in the two states allows a visualization of the conservation of fold energy necessary for ligand binding and release.


1875 ◽  
Vol 23 (156-163) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  

In the investigation of the physical condition of the ocean the accurate determination of the specific gravity of the water holds a first place. The tolerably numerous observations which have been made in this direction, in a more or less connected manner, are sufficient to prove that the density of the water varies, not only with the latitude and longitude, but also with the distance from the surface of the source from which it is taken. This difference of density depends partly on an actual difference in saltness, and partly on a difference in temperature of the water.


In a previous paper the structure of broadened spectrum lines was investigated by a method involving the use of a neutral-tinted wedge as an accessory to the spectroscope. The present communication deals with a method for the accurate determination of the photographic intensities of spectrum lines and the reduction of such intensities to absolute values by comparison with the continuous black-body radiation of the carbon arc. These methods have been applied to a study of the relative intensity distribution in the spectra of helium and hydrogen under different conditions of excitation. It has been found that under certain specified conditions there is a transfer of energy from the longer to the shorter wave-lengths in any given series, and that, under such conditions, the associated series, and in particular the Diffuse series, are relatively enhanced at the expense of the Principal series. It has also been found that the distribution of intensity found in certain celestial spectra can be approximately reproduced in the laboratory. In any attempt to interpret the phenomena observed in connection with the Balmer series of hydrogen, it is necessary to know the particular type to which this series belongs. In order to decide this point a study has been made of the separations of the components of lines of the Balmer series of hydrogen, and the mean values of the separations of the doublets constituting the lines H a and H β have been found to be respectively 0.132 Å.U. and 0.033 Å.U. These values are consistent with the separations appropriate to a Principal series, and the first is in precise agreement with the value deduced by Buisson and Fabry. These results have been obtained by crossing a Lummer Gehrcke plate with the neutral wedge, and submitting the contours obtained to mathematical analysis, by means of which the distribution of intensity in the individual components, and the separation of the components, can be determined.


In 1911 I published in the ‘Philosophical Magazine’ a paper on new determinations of some constants of the inert gases, and drew attention to the remarkable empirical relations which subsist between (1) the calculated numbers of “dispersion” electrons in the atoms of these five elements, (2) their “viscosity diameters” as determined by Prof. A. O. Rankine, and (3) their critical temperatures. Since that time the figures used have undergone revision. The accurate determination of the value of ε by Millikan has enabled us to give absolute, instead of relative, values to the apparent numbers of dispersion electrons ( q , see Table I). Chapman has recalculated the viscosity diameters, and Rankine has revised Chapman’s values, in the light of corrections to be made in his own values of Sutherland’s constants for argon, krypton and xenon. But these alterations have not affected the validity of the relations then published.


2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S240) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
Harold A. McAlister

AbstractLong-baseline optical interferometry (LBI) can nearly close the gap in selection space between astrometric and spectroscopic detection of binary star systems, bringing the complementary powers of astrometry and spectroscopy to bear on a complete dynamical understanding of such systems, particularly including the determination of the masses of the individual stellar components. In the case of double-lined spectroscopic systems, their resolution by long-baseline interferometry also yields the orbital parallax and hence the luminosities of the individual stars. In some of these cases, the angular diameters of one or more components are accessible, and so a complete specification of a star in terms of its mass, radius and luminosity is made.The northern hemisphere is now equipped with several interferometers of unprecedented capability in terms of their baseline sizes, numbers of telescopes and telescope apertures. These instruments, most notably the Palomar Testbed Interferometer at Mt. Palomar Observatory, have produced very significant results of a number of interesting systems fulfilling interferometry's promise to produce fundamental astrophysical data at levels of accuracy that challenge or confirm astrophysical theory.This paper presents basic principles of long-baseline interferometric study of binary stars and summarizes results from northern interferometers with specific examples of their broad impact on binary star astronomy.


2004 ◽  
Vol 215 ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Aerts ◽  
R. Scuflaire ◽  
A. Thoul

In this contribution we review the current status of the determination of the rotational frequency in non-radially pulsating B stars, i.e. β Cep stars and slowly pulsating B stars. Considerable progress is currently being made in the understanding of the non-radial oscillations of main-sequence B stars by means of high-temporal, high-spatial resolution spectroscopic time series. This has led to the detection of frequency multiplets, which are interpreted as rotationally splitted non-radial modes and which allow an accurate determination of the surface rotational frequency in some stars. We outline how our future goal, i.e. the derivation of the internal rotation frequency, can be achieved.


1872 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 7-27

This survey, which occupied a considerable portion of the months of August and September 1869, is a continuation of the series of observations made in the west of France during the preceding year. The instruments used were the same on both occasions, the only changes made for the second expedition being (1°) the substitution of a theodolite by Jones in lieu of Cooke’s transit-theodolite, which was slightly too heavy for carrying in the hand, and (2°) the procuring, through the kindness of Dr. Stewart, a second tripod stand similar to our own, which rendered the series of observations with two observers much more rapid than on the previous occasion. The observations were undertaken, as before, by the Rev. W. Sidgreaves and myself, the Vibrations and Deflections falling to his share, and the Declination and Chronometer comparisons remaining in my hands, whilst the Dip was in general observed by both. The method of reduction is almost identical with that adopted for the observations taken in the west of France. The geographical positions of the different stations have been calculated, as far as possible, from the data given in the 'Connaissance des Temps,’ but where this could not be done I have had recourse to the most reliable sources of information at my command. For the accurate determination of the positions of Mont Rolland (near Dôle), of N. D. de Myans (near Chambéry), of Mongré (near Villefranche-sur-Soane), of Iseure (near Moulins), and of our station at Marseilles I am indebted to the kindness of the Rev. N. Larcher, S. J., Membre de la Société Météorologique de France. The coordinates of Vaugirard were readily obtained from a good map of Paris, and for Issenheim and Monaco I have to depend on Cassini’s ‘Carte Générale de la France’ and on Philip’s 'Imperial Atlas.’ The Imperial Observatory at Paris is chosen as the natural position for the origin of coordinates, in lieu of our central station of observation at Vaugirard, which lies on the outskirts of the city; the resulting mean values will thus require no correction, and will be immediately comparable with those of most other observers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 862 ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimír Pata ◽  
Libuše Sýkorová ◽  
Milena Kubišová ◽  
Martina Malachova

During of aluminum alloy materials, it is possible to find three surface types which can be distinguish as primary, secondary and tertiary sections. In practice this is a big problem in case of finding the basic parameters of roughness and waviness as described by ISO 4288. According to our research, it is possible to use optical microscopy in the first step and subsequently to scan the surface in 3D in order to distinguish the type of. Another problem is how to determine the boundaries between the individual structures. The article describes methods to distinguish the boundaries in a more precise way by the cumulative functions, leading to more accurate determination of the surface quality parameters.


1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W.T. Wilkins ◽  
J.R. Wilmshurst ◽  
G. Hladky ◽  
M.V. Ellacott ◽  
C.P. Buckingham

The sediments of the North West Shelf pose several problems for the accurate determination of thermal maturity by vitrinite reflectance. There are some serious discrepancies between the results of different workers; in some wells there is a surprisingly small increase of reflectance with depth, and it is sometimes difficult to honour these data in thermal maturity modelling. There appear to be two major sources of error in the reflectance data. These are firstly, the effect known as 'suppression' of vitrinite reflectance, and secondly, the difficulty of identifying the vitrinite population in dispersed organic matter.These problems may be addressed by the fluorescence alteration technique which is closely related to vitrinite reflectance but has two special advantages. Firstly, it depends on an analysis of the fluorescence alteration response of a small representative population of organic matter in which the individual macerals need not be identified. Secondly, anomalous vitrinites with suppressed vitrinite reflectance are readily characterized, and the corrected equivalent reflectances determined.The technique has been tested on three North West Shelf petroleum exploration wells, Barrow-1, Jupiter-1 and Flamingo-1. Major discrepancies between measured and equivalent vitrinite reflectance appear to originate in part from the difficulty of identifying the vitrinite population in dispersed organic matter from marine sediments. There is also evidence of suppression of vitrinite reflectance in most samples from Barrow-1, in the Flamingo Group and Plover Formation of Flamingo-1, and in the upper part of the Mungaroo Formation of Jupiter-1.A model is proposed to facilitate the assessment of measured vitrinite reflectance data from Carnarvon or Bonaparte Basin wells. Suppression effects are likely to have influenced measured vitrinite reflectance results from wells for which the strongest data are obtained from the Lower Cretaceous fluvio-deltaic Barrow Group sediments or their equivalents.


Author(s):  
M. L. Monica ◽  
M. L. Zimny ◽  
S. G. McClugage

The purpose of this study was to determine fetal age differences in glomerular permeability using a graded series of dextrans (Pharmacia, Inc., Uppsala, Sweden). The dextran fractions were highly purified and consisted of the following sizes: T-10, T-40 and T-110 (10,000, 40,000 and 110,000 M.W. respectively). The foundation for this study was the work of Caulfield and Farquhar, who showed, using a graded series of dextrans, that the basement membrane was the definitive barrier to permeability.A total of 120 fetuses of pregnant New Zealand white rabbits at the following periods of gestation: 20, 22, 24, 28 days and one day old neonates were utilized. Accurate determination of each fetus' developmental stage was based on weight and crown-rump measurements made at the time of sacrifice. Pregnant rabbits were anesthesized with 20% urethane (ethyl carbamate) and a longitudinal incision was made in the shaved lower abdomen. A small incision was placed in the exposed uterus which penetrated the amniotic sac allowing for removal of the fetus. Viability of the fetus was essential and each fetus remained attached to the placenta throughout the course of dextran injection.


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