NATURE'S SECRETS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22488, 4 August 1936, Page 6

NATURE'S SECRETS

ATOM-SPLITTING MUSEUM LATEST SCIENTIFIC VENTURE London is to have an atom-splitting museum Its official title will be the Structure of Matter section of the (Science Museum in South Kensington, and its a-im will be to illustrate modern ideas of the physical universe. It will show the changing pictures of the . atom urawn at different times by scientists, how the transmutation of metals cau be achieved, and how atoms can be made radio-active —a secret which was nature's alone until a few years ago. it will show, also, how X-rays can be ■used to explore the structure of solid materials—human hair included —and how .matter sometimes behaves like waves. The latter discovery confirms some of the strangest predictions of modern physics. Neutrons will be "on view" and so will "positive'electrons"—the two latest, additions to the known list of nature's building units. There will be displayed the equipment with which Dr. J. i). C'ockroft and Dr. E. T. S. Walton, working in the. Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge, first split the atom b.v purely,, artificial means. It is hoped that other pieces of historic apparatus will also be available for display Finally, as an aid to understanding, a series of exhibits will be provided to lead the visitor gently fiom the older and simpler (.doctrines of classical physics to thfmmOdem picture which it will be the main purpose of the museum to- make clear. While it is realised that the expository difficulties will be greater than any which the Science Museum has yet faced, the museum experts are confident'that- they will be able to make the venture a success.