Science: European Atom

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"Now the real trouble is that just as in the atom there are electrons in their orbits far away from the nucleus, so in this case there are colonies also revolving. These used to be attached, so to speak, to separate protons, but some years ago the nucleus was subjected to a terrific bombardment which shifted these electrons from belonging to one proton to another. One very powerful proton, in mathematical language generally designated thus †, suffered severely in this respect, with the result that the nucleus as such is no longer stable. It has been found, however, that if the western proton adds to its charge (by re-arming), although a state of strain between the two protons is introduced, the nucleus qua nucleus becomes more stable.

"I hope I have put this very difficult problem in simple terms for the physicists. . .'."