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ATOM IN MODERN SCIENCE 37 produced, since there are hardly any positrons in our part of the universe But suppose a new process that would release positrons in large numbers is found just as the process of liberating large number of neutrons was found Such an eventuality, by no means beyond the realm of the possible would open potentialities of horror alongside which those of the hydrogen bômb would be puny For any process that would release a large number of positrons in the atmosphere, in a chain reaction similar to the one now liberating neutrons, may enevelope the whole earth in one deadly flash of radio active lightning that would instantly kill all life And although this is admittedly purely speculative, no one dare say that such a discovery will not be made, not when one remembers how remote and unlikely a process such as fission seemed to be just before it was made JOURNEY INTO THE ORIGIN OF MATTER ATOM FOR PEACE
We have completed the review of the development of atom over a period of more than 2500 years It would, however, be highly improper to close the chapter with a sense of utter doom which the above paragraph may forebode Enormous progress has also been made in the direction of utilising nuclear energy for the benefit of mankind, and it is our duty to give the reader a glimpse of the nuclear research and development work in which some tens of thousands scientists are all over the world today
Nuclear physics is now also known as elementary particle physics It is one of the fundamental sciences and like the Greek philosophers 2000 years ago, it asks, the question what is the origin of matter? Its objective is to deepen man's understanding of the structure of matter
