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Birth
John Tyndall was born in Leighlinbridge, Ireland. -
Engineering to Science
John's interests started out as engineering but when he decided that this was no longer what he wanted his life work to be, he utilized the entirety of his life savings in order to gain a PhD in science. -
Professor Tyndall
Tyndall spent much of his time after gaining his PhD struggling through unemployment. In 1853 he became a professor of natural philosophy at the Royal Institution in London. This is where he experimented with gas vapors utilizing both heat and light, he learned that the Earths environment is regulated due to carbon monoxide being much more observant to radiant heat. This was amongst other things he studied. -
The Tyndall Effect
Tyndall makes historical studies of the scattering light by atmospheric particles, also known as the Tyndall effect. In 1869 he provided explanations of why we see the horizon the way we do and clear skies; two years later Lord Rayleigh provided provided the relevant theory. Tyndall showed that if broth was placed in the air which was without scattering particles, the usual life forms did not develop. His work went on to invalidate the " spontaneous generation" theory of life. -
Tyndall effect Youtube video
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Death
John Tyndall passed away in his own home.