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The beginning
John Tyndall was an Irish physicist he lived between the years 1820-1893, he was largely self-taught reading and attending any public lecture he could. In 1854 he became a professor at the Royal Institution (Chambers Biographical Dictionary). Tyndall is considered an important figure for nineteenth century science, contributing to research in electricity, magnetism, radiant heat, chemical molecular theory, and the constitution of the atmosphere (Reidy, 125). -
Diamagnetism
After receiving his degree of Doctor of Philosophy Tyndall worked on magnetic properties of crystal and the relation of magnetism and diamagnetism on molecular structure. Tyndall discovered that the action of crystals in a magnetic field was produced by attraction and retraction. Producing torque which determined what position the crystal took (Smith, 333) -
Radiant Heat
Most of Tyndall’s work focuses on radiant heat specifically the transmission of radiant heat through gases and vapors. Tyndall conducted various laboratory and, in the field, experiments demonstrating how colorless and invisible gases and vapors absorb solar radiation (Reidy, 125). Tyndall discovered that water vapors absorb more radiant heat than atmospheric gases. -
Tyndall Effect
Tyndall experimented on the scattering of light explaining that when a light wave strikes particle in the air they are scattered. He also discovered that longer wavelengths are more transmitted while shorter wavelengths are diffusely reflected. It explains why a beam of light can be seen from car headlights in foggy conditions the light waves are scattered from the water particle in the fog. Below is a link to a short video that explains the Tyndall Effect.
https://youtu.be/SoUmz8L87Z4 -
Death
John Tyndall tragically passed when his wife Louisa confused his two medications and cause his to overdose on chloral hydrate the sleep medication he took to treat insomnia (Market house books, 529)
