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162
unions.
Let us, however, study the neutron of modern physics. It is formed by a very close union of a snigdha particle and a rūksa, the proton and the electron. In the hydrogen atom the electron goes round the proton forming a planetary system with dimensions of the order a hundred-millionth of a centimetre. If the radius of the electronic orbit is made ten thousand times, smaller, we arrive at the neutron model. The mass of the neutron is, therefore slightly greater than the mass of the proton.
COSMOLOGY: OLD AND NEW
Further if we glance over the table of atomic weights of various isotopes 343 given by Infeld, 344 we are struck by the round numbers differing by unity. We reproduce below a part of the table.
Element
Neon
Magnesium Silicon
Sulphur
Zinc
Gallium
Atomic weights of isotopes.
20-22-21
24-25-26
28-29-30
32-34-33
64-66-68-67-65-70
69-71
Note: In the above table the isotopes are arragned in the descending order of frequency of occurrence. 21 comes after 22; it only means that the atoms of weight 22 are more abundant than the atoms of weight 21.
***
This seems to support the Jaina view that atoms have been formed by a definite law of union, a difference of two degrees of snigdhatva or ruksatva producing a difference of weight by unity.
343. Isotopes are atoms of different weights but of identical chemical properties.
344. Science in Modern World, p. 155.
