"But the great point of distinction lies in the nature of the radiations from the bodies in question. In one case the radiations behave as transverse waves, obeying the usual laws of light waves, while in the case of a naturally active body, they consist for the most part of a continuous flight of material particles projected from the substance with great velocity. Before any substance can be called "radio-active" in the sense in which the term is used to describe the properties of the natural radio-active elements, it is thus necessary to make a close examination of its radiations; for it is inadvisable to extend the use of the term "radio-active" to substances which do not possess the characteristic radiating properties of the radio-active elements which we have described, and the active products which can be obtained from them. Some of the pseudo active-bodies will however be considered later."
Radio-activity

January 1, 1970

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Original Language: English

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https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Radio-activity