Abstract
IF the formation or disintegration under astronomical conditions of the chemical elements, including the light ones, is considered as going on continuously, it is obvious that for each kind of atom there must be present its parent and its succeeding element. It can be proved, however, that the emission of α, β- or even H-particles by disintegration, or the entry of the α-, H-particles or the electrons into the nuclei, is unable to explain the existence of every isotope. For example, it is impossible to explain in this way the formation of Sc45 by decomposition of Ti48, Ti50 and V51, or by emission of an electron from Ca44. Likewise it is impossible to explain the formation of Ti50 by means of the entry of α-, H- or β-particles into the nuclei of any one known atom. The same phenomenon is found in many other cases among the non-radioactive elements. The same negative results are obtained by supposing that one atom decomposes into two other atoms, or that the two nuclei form a new atom. The existence of every kind of atom and of all isotopes can be explained without difficulty, however, by supposing that the atoms of different elements can emit or incorporate neutrons (Nr)—even under astronomical conditions.
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