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Show 55 was written about Eyring and his work. .The prize of $1,000 given annually by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for the best paper submitted at the Winter meeting was awarded here today to Dr. Henry Eyring, 32-year-old research associate of the Frick Chemical Laboratory, Princeton University. He was honored for his pioneer work in applying the principles of quantum mechanics, latest tool of modern physics for delving into the mysteries of the sub-atomic world, to the laws governing the chemical bonds between the elements. Dr. Eyring has figured out mathematically the definite reactions that take place in a number of puzzling chemical combinations which later were verified independently by other workers through actual chemical experimentation. In one instance Dr. Eyring's calculations showed the present chemical textbooks to be wrong, and his predictions to that effect have been found to be true by experiment. The paper, consisting of three typewritten pages, is entitled "Quantum Mecahnics and Chemistry With Particular Reference to Reactions Involving Conjugate Double Bonds." It was delivered yesterday afternoon. Dr. Eyring's work shows how to apply the binding energies between atoms to the problem as to how rapidly chemical reactions occur. By the application of the mathematical laws of quantum mechanics to the chemical problem of valence, he solved in a number of instances the magnitude of the valence force, the force, which, in a manner as yet unexplained, makes it possible for a definite number of atoms of one chemical element to enter into chemical union with a definite combination of atoms of another chemical element. Oxygen, for example, has a valence of two. 80 that one atom of oxygen will always hold on fast to two atoms of hydrogen making the well-known H20, or plain water. Powerful Tool for Chemists "There is accumulating an empirical foundation for the method," Dr. Eyring declares in his paper, "more compelling than that which may at present be adduced from strictly theoretical considerations. The qualitative correctness in all cases of the calculations indicates that it is a surprisingly powerful tool with which to attack the almost endless variety of problems of chemical mechanism." Dr. Eyring‘s work in figuring.out mathematically scientific facts which later were corroborated by experiment has a number of parallels in the recent history of science. The existence of the planets Neptune and Pluto was predicted by |
