登陆注册
778500000012

第12章 婚后生活 (5)

I had occasion to examine a certain number of minerals. A few of them showed activity; they were those containing either uranium or thorium. The activity of these minerals would have had nothing astonishing about it, if it had been in proportion to the quantities of uranium or thorium contained in them. But it was not so. Some of these minerals revealed an activity three or four times greater than that of uranium. I verified this surprising fact carefully, and could not doubt its truth. Speculating about the reason for this, there seemed to be but one explanation. There must be, I thought, some unknown substance, very active, in these minerals. My husband agreed with me and I urged that we search at once for this hypothetical substance, thinking that, with joined efforts, a result would be quickly obtained. Neither of us could foresee that in beginning this work we were to enter the path of a new science which we should follow for all our future.

Of course, I did not expect, even at the beginning, to find a new element in any large quantity, as the minerals had already been analyzed with some precision. At least, I thought there might be as much as one per cent of the unknown substance in the minerals. But the more we worked, the clearer we realized that the new radioactive element could exist only in quite minute proportion and that, in consequence, its activity must be very great. Would we have insisted, despite the scarcity of our means of research, if we had known the true proportion of what we were searching for, no one can tell; all that can be said now is that the constant progress of our work held us absorbed in a passionate research, while the difficulties were ever increasing. As a matter of fact, it was only after several years of most arduous labor that we finally succeeded in completely separating the new substance, now known to everybody as radium. Here is, briefly, the story of the search and discovery.

As we did not know, at the beginning, any of the chemical properties of the unknown substance, but only that it emits rays, it was by these rays that we had to search. We first undertook the analysis of a pitchblende from St. Joachimsthal. Analyzing this ore by the usual chemical methods, we added an examination of its different parts for radioactivity, by the use of our delicate electrical apparatus. This was the foundation of a new method of chemical analysis which, following our work, has been extended, with the result that a large number of radioactive elements have been discovered.

In a few weeks we could be convinced that our prevision had been right, for the activity was concentrating in a regular way. And, in a few months, we could separate from the pitchblende a substance accompanying the bismuth, much more active than uranium, and having well defined chemical properties. In July, , we announced the existence of this new substance, to which I gave the name of polonium, in memory of my native country.

While engaged in this work on polonium, we had also discovered that, accompanying the barium separated from the pitchblende, there was another new element. After several months more of close work we were able to separate this second new substance, which was afterwards shown to be much more important than polonium. In December, , we could announce the discovery of this new and now famous element, to which we gave the name of radium.

However, the greatest part of the material work had yet to be done. We had, to be sure, discovered the existence of the remarkable new elements, but it was chiefly by their radiant properties that these new substances were distinguished from the bismuth and barium with which they were mixed in minute quantities. We had still to separate them as pure elements. On this work we now started.

We were very poorly equipped with facilities for this purpose. It was necessary to subject large quantities of ore to careful chemical treatment. We had no money, no suitable laboratory, no personal help for our great and difficult undertaking. It was like creating something out of nothing, and if my earlier studying years had once been called by my brother-in-law the heroic period of my life, I can say without exaggeration that the period on which my husband and I now entered was truly the heroic one of our common life.

We knew by our experiments that in the treatment of pitchblende at the uranium plant of St. Joachimsthal, radium must have been left in the residues, and, with the permission of the Austrian government, which owned the plant, we succeeded in securing a certain quantity of these residues, then quite valueless, and used them for extraction of radium. How glad I was when the sacks arrived, with the brown dust mixed with pine needles, and when the activity proved even greater than that of the primitive ore! It was a stroke of luck that the residues had not been thrown far away or disposed of in some way, but left in a heap in the pine wood near the plant. Some time later, the Austrian government, on the proposition of the Academy of Science of Vienna, let us have several tons of similar residues at a low price. With this material was prepared all the radium I had in my laboratory up to the date when I received the precious gift from the American women.

同类推荐
  • 史海回眸李鸿章

    史海回眸李鸿章

    本书从李鸿章早年落拓,写到他参与镇压太平军、甲午中日战争,创办洋务,周旋于世界外交舞台直至去世 ……
  • 卑鄙的圣人:曹操2

    卑鄙的圣人:曹操2

    历史上的大奸大忠都差不多,只有曹操大不同!曹操的计谋,奸诈程度往往将对手整得头昏脑涨、找不着北,卑鄙程度也屡屡突破道德底线,但他却是一个心怀天下、体恤众生的圣人;而且他还是一个柔情万丈、天才横溢的诗人;最后他还是一个敏感、自卑、内心孤独的普通男人。
  • 告诉你一个马克思的故事

    告诉你一个马克思的故事

    《告诉你一个马克思的故事》精选了马克思人生中富有代表性的事件和故事,以点带面,从而折射出他充满传奇的人生经历和各具特点的鲜明个性。通过阅读《告诉你一个马克思的故事》。我们不仅要了解他的生活经历,更要了解他的奋斗历程,以及学习他在面对困难、失败和挫折时所表现出来的杰出品质。
  • 人物百科知识博览

    人物百科知识博览

    一本丰富的百科字典,一座有创造力的知识乐园,一部健康成长的智慧圣经。精美的图片,有趣的文字,活泼的版式,将科学性和趣味性完美地结合在一起,让我们一同领略和感受知识带给我们的快乐。《阅读文库·我的第一本百科书:人物百科知识博览》内容包罗万象,形式丰富多彩。它既是人们认识世界、感知历史、触摸时空和未来的组合工具,又是聆听历史和探索未来的一条捷径,同时也是家长引领孩子成长的教育指南。
  • 问题首富黄光裕

    问题首富黄光裕

    1985年,黄光裕怀揣4000元离开潮汕,北上创业。2004年,他以105亿元财富首次成为“中国首富”。然而,在以430亿身家再次戴上“中国首富”的皇冠之后仅仅一个月,黄光裕被警方带走拘查。
热门推荐
  • 热爱祖国的故事(崇尚品德的故事)

    热爱祖国的故事(崇尚品德的故事)

    美德是“1”,任何名誉、财富等都是“0”,只有写好了前面的“1”,后面才可以有无数个“0”,否则一切都只是“0”。植根于爱的土壤,吸取古今中外伟大先贤的美德智慧,致力于帮助父母、老师和儿童,为中国培育有品格的下一代而努力。
  • 红楼之痴颦泪

    红楼之痴颦泪

    她质本洁来还洁去,一片冰心,无处惹尘埃,虽然风风雨雨早已瘦了朱颜,冷月的光华中她还可以坦然,还可以勇敢面对一世悲欢。她唯独无法面对的是缘尽的遗憾。如果上天不让她那么早走,她是否甘愿一次次泪洗红妆,甘愿让青丝变白发,只为了守住今生难忘的爱,相许的心,只为了纷乱的思绪中那太多的放不下。叹人间,琴断指伤,再燃尽那旧诗行,空留月影倚靠着一面孤单的墙。将来,谁还会走进一个寂静的黄昏,轻抚着竹上的斑斑泪痕,再忆起当年这葬花的凄惘?片段一:“玉儿,你不该威胁我的,尤其不该用性命来威胁,你明明知道我把你看的比一切都重。”“给我屠城,老人,小孩,一个都不放过,只要她没有点头,不许停止。”片段二:满朝文武百官立在城头,那里面有他的叔伯兄弟,有出生入追随他的生死弟兄,只要他不点头,他们一个个拿起刀,挥向自己的脖子,没有丝毫的犹豫,鲜血漫过自己的双脚。许久,“朕同意,立林家第三十二代后人林黛玉为帝王师……”还没说完,他口吐鲜血,晕倒在地。片段三:黑云压城,雷电交加,他抱着她跪倒在地上。“你们只管让她死,我水溶对天发誓,只要她离开我半步,从此三界之内再无宁日。”为以后的情节写了一些片段,做一下预告。请大家多多支持啊
  • 将门娇

    将门娇

    大盛朝边疆狼烟起,镇国一家五子慨然赴阵,随时都可能为国捐躯,临行前,老太君泪求圣旨,要替五郎求娶传说中特好生养的安定伯府崔氏女。安定伯府有女儿的,不是装病就是玩消失,只有崔翎觉得这是门好亲——门第高,没人欺;贼有钱,生活水平低不了;又是小儿媳,不担责任日子好混;没有三年五载回不来,乐得清净;要是丈夫不幸了,那就是遗孀,享受国家补贴的!这对勾心斗角了一辈子,今生只想安安稳稳过养老日子的她来说,诱惑太!大!了!一片混乱中,崔翎淡定开口,“我嫁!”
  • 桃花无意惹邪君

    桃花无意惹邪君

    穿越异世附身刺客之身,几经周折却将心失落;奈何天意弄人,一朝身世揭露,却没想到引发的却是另一个惊天的阴谋。为救他,她不惜以身犯险,待到尘埃落定之时,却已是……
  • 我们三个都是穿越来的

    我们三个都是穿越来的

    我是因为看了很多的穿越小说,也很想穿越。谁想我想想就能穿越,穿越就穿越吧,居然穿成怀孕九月的待产产妇,开玩笑嘛!人家在二十一世纪还是黄花一枚呢。这也可以接受,可是明明是丞相之女,堂堂四皇子的正牌王妃怎么会居住在这么一个几十平米得破落小院子里,她怎么混的,亏她还一身绝世武功,再是医毒双绝。哎。没关系,既然让我继承了这么多优越条件,一个王爷算得了什么?生下一对龙凤胎,居然都是穿过来的,神啊,你对我太好了吧?且看我们母子三人在古代风生水起笑料百出的古代生活吧。片段一在我走出大门时,突然转身对着轩辕心安说道:“王爷,若是哪天不幸你爱上了我,我定会让你生不如死的。”然后魅惑地一笑,潇洒地走了出去。片段二当我对着铜镜里的美人自恋地哼出不着调地歌时。“别哼了,难听死了。”一个清脆的声音响起。~~~接着一声尖叫紧跟着另一声尖叫。我用上轻功躲进了被子里.~~~"我和你一样是二十一世纪来的。”“你好,娘亲,哥哥,以后要多多指教。”来自两个婴儿的嘴里,我摸摸额头,没高烧啊。片段三“小鱼儿,我可是你孩子的爹,况且我没有写休书,你还是我的王妃。我会对你好的。”安王爷霸道地说道。“你们认识他吗?他说是你们的爹?”我问着脚边的两个孩子。“不认识,”女孩说道。“我们的爹不是埋在土里了吗?怎么他一点也不脏?”男孩问道。那个男人满头黑线。“对不起,我们不认识你。”说完拉着孩子转身就走。片段四“爹爹,这是我娘,你看漂亮吧?”南宫心乐拉着一个白衣帅哥进来问道。我无语中。“爹爹,你看我娘亲厉害吧?“南宫心馨拉着另外一个妖精似地男人走了进来。我想晕。“这才是我们的爹。”“才不是呢,这个才是”两人开始吵起来了。“我才是你们的爹。”安王爷气急地吼道。“滚一边去。”两个小孩同时说道。屋里顿时混乱之中。转头,回屋睡觉去了。推荐完结文《别哭黛玉》完结文《穿越之无泪潇湘》新文,《极品花痴》
  • 农门春,医路荣华

    农门春,医路荣华

    新文《药门贵女,神医弃妃》已经发文,欢迎收藏~医毒双绝,身手无双,一朝穿冷宫弃妃。欺负我?银针、毒药、开膛剖肚随你们选!还有灵宠开道,分分钟咬死人不偿命!————————————————————————穿越到不知名的朝代,父亲愚孝、叔婶厉害、祖母的心偏到天边,母亲体弱多病、姐姐心悸哮喘性情古怪偏激、弟弟痨病咯血半死不活,还有一个三天两头嫌弃找麻烦的未来婆婆,左春霞内牛满面:老天爷你把姐送到这是什么地儿!好吧,既来之,则安之!我命由我不由天,予我万丈荆棘,势要踏出一片锦绣!有病咱不慌,好歹是中医世家出身,治病没问题;分家就分家,小家齐心协力咱努力奔小康。喂喂喂,三天两头来找茬,当姐软柿子好捏是不是?嫌弃就嫌弃,嫌弃我穷没嫁妆,我还看不上你家的门和你家的人呢!什么?未婚夫不肯退婚执意要娶?那得看你有多少诚意、看姐乐不乐意了!“你娘这么嫌弃我,我看我们还是算了吧!”某女烦不胜烦推脱道。某男眼睛一亮,大喜:“原来你是担心这个,别怕,交给我处理!”***********************“为什么不要郡主做平妻?”她轻轻问道。小别重逢,他紧紧的拥着她,,口齿不清含糊的问道:“那个破鞋,给你提鞋也不配!她?我只要一出生就定给我的媳妇!”“夫君,你真好......”她轻喘着甜甜的笑了。是啊,她一出生就定给他做媳妇了,所以天注定,他只是她的!***********************简介无能的人求支持,那个,简介将来会完善的!谢了!推荐好友羌笛菱歌的新文《俏厨娘,秀色可餐》,链接:http://m.pgsk.com/a/808233/,作者坑品良好,大家放心跳~~(o)/~
  • 穿越农家调皮小妞

    穿越农家调皮小妞

    车祸,穿越。一家五口,一亩三分田,生活困苦。娘亲强悍,父亲憨厚,哥哥聪明,姐姐能干,她古灵精怪,她淡定自若;自立自强,发家致富;带着全家过上幸福生活,她找到对自己最好的人生伴侣,结婚生子人生所想的已经美梦成真。
  • 情订田缘:傲娇女寨主

    情订田缘:傲娇女寨主

    她是美容界的黄金圣手,莫名其妙在山寨重生,为了一百零三口人,她利用随身空间,带着山贼们赚的是金银满屋。没想到,要斗官、要斗富,还有个将军,誓要踏平山寨!身边有忠心影卫,高明剑客,更有个蛊术无双的师傅!她花容月可不是弱质女流?不管是谁,只要踏进了金银山,就通通留下!山寨的小日子过得精彩纷呈。寨主有令:抢到最帅的新郎赏金一万两。史上第一悲催又傲娇的女寨主,从此踏上了带领山贼奔小康的致富之路!
  • 青春无泯(最受学生喜爱的散文精粹)

    青春无泯(最受学生喜爱的散文精粹)

    《最受学生喜爱的散文精粹》从喧嚣中缓缓走来,如一位许久不见的好友,收拾了一路趣闻,满载着一眼美景,静静地与你分享。靠近它,你会忘记白日里琐碎的工作,沉溺于片刻的宁谧。靠近它,你也会忘却烦恼,还心灵一片晴朗。一个人在其一生中,阅读一些立意深远、具有丰富哲学思考的散文,不仅可以开阔视野,重新认识历史、社会、人生和自然,获得思想上的盎然新意,而且还可以学习中外散文名家高超而成熟的创作技巧。
  • 枕边小医妃:王爷,玩够没

    枕边小医妃:王爷,玩够没

    他惊才绝艳,却淡漠名利,古代版好男人的楷模!唯独对她这一个穿越女,小气腹黑又卑鄙无耻……分明是一只披着羊皮的狼嘛!而且,他被皇帝赐婚关她什么屁事啊?挑这个时候扯她玩拜堂兼洞房,是想两人一起砍头吗??