In later chapters, the radio-activity of thorium will, for simplicity, be discussed on the assumption that thorium is itself a radio-active element. The analysis of the changes which occur will thus not refer to thorium itself but to the primary radio-active substance usually found associated with it. The conclusions to be drawn from an examination of the radio-active processes are for the most part independent of whether thorium is itself radio-active or whether the radio-activity is due to an unknown element. If thorium is not radio-active itself, it is not possible to draw any conclusions upon the question of the duration of the primary radio-activity associated with it. Such a deduction cannot be made until the quantity of the radio-active element present in thorium has been definitely determined.
24. If elements heavier than uranium exist, it is probable that
they will be radio-active. The extreme delicacy of radio-activity
as a means of chemical analysis would enable such elements to
be recognized even if present in infinitesimal quantities. It is
probable that considerably more than the three or four radio-elements
at present recognized exist in minute quantity, and that
the number at present known will be augmented in the future.
In the first stage of the search, a purely chemical examination is
of little value, for it is not probable that the new element should
exist in sufficient quantity to be detected by chemical or spectroscopic
analysis. The main criteria of importance are the existence
or absence of distinctive radiations or emanations, and the permanence
of the radio-activity. The discovery of a radio-active emanation
with a rate of decay different from those already known would
afford strong evidence that a new radio-active body was present.
The presence of either thorium or radium in matter can very
readily be detected by observing the rate of decay of the emanations
given out by them. When once the existence of a new
radio-element has been inferred by an examination of its radio-active
properties, chemical methods of separation can be devised,
the radiating or emanating property being used as a guide in
qualitative and quantitative analysis.
