A Fourth State of Matter | Nature

ABSTRACT IN Mr. Crookes' communication on this subject (NATURE, vol. xxii. p. 153) occurs the sentence, “An isolated molecule is an inconceivable entity.” This proposition would appear

to me to be questionable. For if we cannot conceive an isolated molecule, how are we to conceive of two (or more) molecules, _i.e._, conceive of matter at all? For the conception of two

molecules involves the isolation of each in the mind, otherwise surely the two would be mentally blended into one. It is further said of a molecule, “Solid it cannot be.” May not the

external qualities ordinarily attributed to a “solid” be said to be those of a body possessing a certain amount of rigidity (_i.e._, whose parts resist displacement) combined with a certain

elasticity? Would not these be substantially the properties of a single vortex molecule, according to those who have investigated this subject? For it appears that such a molecule would be

(perfectly) elastic, and inseparable into parts. At the same time it would seem that there would be nothing to prevent it from being harder or more rigid than any large scale solid (built up

of such molecules?) with which we are acquainted. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS

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institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * London S. TOLVER PRESTON Authors * S. TOLVER PRESTON View author

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Matter. _Nature_ 22, 192 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/022192b0 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 July 1880 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/022192b0 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the

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