Speculation concerning the Positive Electron

Abstract

SIR OLIVER LODGE'S interesting speculation, in NATURE of November 25, p. 696, as to the possible similarity of positive and negative electrons suggests an inquiry into the relative abundance of the lighter and heavier elements to be expected on this hypothesis. Considering the simplest case, that of hydrogen, let us assume that very large equal numbers of positive and negative electrons initially combine to form N + n positive, and N – n negative protons, and that the negatives immediately combine with an equal number of positives to form heavier nuclei, leaving 2n positive protons to form hydrogen atoms. Since in the combination of protons to form heavy nuclei the loss of mass by “packing” is apparently small, the ratio mass of hydrogen/total mass of all elements should be very nearly equal to 2n/2N, i.e. n/N.