UBIQUITY OF X RAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1925, Page 4

ÜBIQUITY OF X RAYS

AN INTERESTING SI’RYKV. (By Science Service.) Doctors and detectives, chemists an jewellers, farmers and mechanics, a these and others now apply x-rays t their work, said professor George I, Clark, of the Department of Cbemica Engineering, at the Massachusetts In stiiute of Technology, in a paper reai before the American Association fo the Advancement of Science at Wash ingluii on January 1. - ‘\Ve little realise,” said Dr ('lark

•‘in the process of application of x-ray to diagnosis of human ills and to 111 obliteration or alleviation of sulfoi'ing that tin's same agency is being nppliei by the botanist, the physicist in hi scantlings of atomic anatomies, tin chemist, the metallurgist, the great in tins).rial corporal ion or even the ortli nary mechanic. In the solution of a! most innumerable problems.'' I)r ('lark divided the application o

x-rays into llircc classes. First, the depending upon direct utilisation 0 tile radiations • second, the dejermina lien of the structure of crystals, and third, the testing of theories of tin structure of the atom. As example? of these applications lie cited II different uses to which Ihe Ronlgen ray.arc put. Besides (lie more familial 1 lies id medical diagnosis and lh< treatment of tumors. 1 lmy are uset now. as the result of the intent ion ol a small portable outfit. by plumber? to find (lie local ion of pipes in walls, electricians fo locale wires, and U.

carpenters to find beams and nails be lore proceeding on new (oiistruetiona work.

Botanists have made experiment with iliem. and it has been found lha

seeds exposed to their action germinate more rapidly. Some chemical reactions are also accelerated by them, while others are retared. When precious stones, such as diamonds, are exposed to them they fluoresce, or give oil' light, and this permits them to lie used l.y jewellers lo detect imitation jewels. In the second grout), largely the result of the work of two English scientists, Sir William Bragg ami his son. W. 11. Bragg, advances have been made, and it has been found possible to determine just flow the molecules that make up crystalline material are arranged. It lias also been, found recently. by a Belgian, Dr Smidt. that the structure of the molecules of liquids mnv be determined.

The latest developments have been in the third group of applications, and has been found useful as a check on (henries of the structure of the atoms themselves. Also tit is work has led to the prediction and subsequent identification of a new element, hafnium, and some of the conclusions have been found to check with the theory of relativity.