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Absorption and Radiation of Heat Through Vapors and Gases
In the year 1859, John Tyndall began conducting experiments testing the radiative properties of numerous gases. During his experimentation, Tyndall created the first spectrophotometer, which enabled him to record the absorptive properties of hydrocarbons, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone. One of his more important discoveries was the differences in the abilities of radiation and absorption among various colorless gases (“John Tyndall's Blue Sky Apparatus”). -
Tyndall Effect (1868)
The Tyndall Effect, also known as Tyndall Scattering, is the scattering of light particles by impurities found in gases and liquids. He began conducting the experimentation by filling a glass tube with air to represent the sky, while having a light on one end of the tube represent the sun. He filled the tube with smoke and witnessed how the light changes hues from within the tube. On the side with the light, the color appeared blue, yet on the other, red (“John Tyndall”). -
Optically Pure Air
Tyndall’s experiment for optically pure air started by inserting glass windows on a couple sides of a box. He then coated the box with glycerin. After a few days, he shined concentrated beams of light, and found no signs of particulates in the air. In fact, all the particles had settled and were trapped inside the sticky glycerin coating of the box. From this he concluded that the air was germ free (“No. 642: Tyndall and Germs”). -
Respiration Device for Firefighters (1871)
John Tyndall also created the firefighter’s respirator. As stated in the published journal article On Some Recent Experiments with a Fireman’s Respirator, Tyndall discusses his trial and errors while conducting experiments to create a respiration device. After his experiments, he produced a respirator that effectively worked by blocking smoke with glycerin-soaked cotton-wool and combated the hydrocarbons by incorporating Dr. Stenhouse’s charcoal filtration principles ("Some Recent Experiments"). -
Tyndall Effect Video
