A Proposed Laboratory Test of the Theory of Relativity

Abstract

WITH the present interest so strong in devising experiments to test the theory of relativity, it may not be amiss to suggest the possibility of yet another method. According to recent hypotheses, it seems that the stars are the factories producing complex elements from simpler structures. Inside the stars, hydrogen atoms may unite to form helium, and with hydrogen and helium as intermediates, the more complicated atoms may be built. As pointed out by Harkins, Eddington, Perrin, and others, the synthesis of an atom of helium from four hydrogen atoms necessitates the loss of 0.774 Per cent, of the mass of the hydrogen atoms. Since we cannot conceive of mass being annihilated, the only obvious solution is to say that mass is electromagnetic in origin and that, in the helium nucleus, the four protons are brought so near to the two electrons that their fields overlap and neutralise each other to some extent, accompanied by a loss of mass. According to the theory of relativity, 1 gram of matter is equivalent to 9 × 10²⁰ ergs or 2.1 × 10¹³ calories. Both Harkins and Perrin have calculated the amount of heat that must be produced by the transformation of four gram atoms of hydrogen into one gram atom of helium. It has the enormous value of 0.0078 × 2.1 × 10¹³ or 1.6 × 10¹¹ calories.