Two methods are described for extending the Thomas-Fermi model of a compressed atom to molecules or mixtures of the type Z Zn. The methods are applied to H2O at zero temperature to determine pressure and internal energy as functions of the density, the position of the protons relative to the oxygen nucleus, and the electrostatic potential distribution within the molecule.

Part A. The major effort during the past year has been the construction of a suitable vacuum furnace for studying the effects of temperature and pressure on the wettability of metals by glass. A systems was completed that was capable of subjecting test combinations up to temperatures of 1400 degree C at a working pressure of 1 x 10(-5) mm. of Hg. Part B. A compound, identified by X-ray analysis as sodium meta tantalate (na2Ta2O6), was found at the interface between a sodium silicate glass and tantalum metal which had been heated in vacuum to 1000 degree C. thermodynamic calculations, followed by further experimental evidence, were used to determine the chemical reaction between tantalum and sodium silicate which resulted in the formation of Na2Ta3O6. the compound was synthesized by other methods, and its structure investigated.

A generalization of the Lindemann law is used in connection with the Murnaghan equation of state for a solid to derive theoretically the empirical Simon equation for the fusion curve. For the alkali metals it is shown that experimental values of the temperature exponent in the Simon equation are quantitatively compatible with the theoretical evaluation given, and, furthermore, that the theory can predict approximate values of the experiment, in practice.

As an aid in forecasting possible blast damage in areas distant from a bomb burst point, a special-purpose electronic analog computer has been developed. Sound ray paths (orthogonal trajectories to sound wave front) are computed as a function of meteorological conditions.

"One of the limitations of the Zircex Process is the large percentage loss of U which is carried off with the volatile ZrCl/sub 4/. Since the ratio of U to Zr in the fuel element is quite small (< 1%), a large percentage of U loss can be caused by small amounts of U in the ZrCl/sub 4/ sublimate. The U loss must be kept below 1% if the Zircex Process is to be adapted to industrial scale processing."