John Tyndall

John Tyndall

John Tyndall, 19th-century physicist

Born	2 August 1820
Birth place	Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, Ireland
Died	4 December 1893
Place of death	Haslemere, Surrey, England
Nationality	Irish
Known for	Tyndall effect, research on the greenhouse effect

John Tyndall (2 August 1820 – 4 December 1893) was a prominent 19th-century Irish physicist known for his work on the scattering of light and the greenhouse effect. His research significantly contributed to the understanding of atmospheric physics and the behavior of gases.

Early Life and Education

John Tyndall was born in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, Ireland. He received his early education at the local schools and later worked as a surveyor. Tyndall's interest in science led him to attend the University of Marburg in Germany, where he studied under the renowned chemist Robert Bunsen. He earned his Ph.D. in 1850.

Scientific Career

Tyndall's scientific career began in earnest when he was appointed as a professor of natural philosophy at the Royal Institution in London in 1853. He succeeded Michael Faraday, one of the most influential scientists of the time.

Research on Light and the Atmosphere

Tyndall is best known for his studies on the scattering of light, which led to the discovery of the Tyndall effect. This phenomenon explains why the sky is blue and why the sun appears red at sunset. Tyndall demonstrated that when light passes through a clear fluid containing small particles, the shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more than the red.

Greenhouse Effect

Tyndall was one of the first scientists to study the absorption of infrared radiation by gases. He identified that gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone absorb heat, which is a fundamental principle of the greenhouse effect. His work laid the groundwork for understanding how these gases influence Earth's climate.

Other Contributions

In addition to his work on light and atmospheric gases, Tyndall made significant contributions to the study of diamagnetism and the properties of glaciers. He was also an accomplished mountaineer and wrote extensively on the subject.

Legacy

John Tyndall's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of physics and environmental science. His research on the greenhouse effect is particularly relevant today as scientists study climate change and its implications for the planet.

Also see

• Tyndall effect
• Greenhouse effect
• Michael Faraday
• Robert Bunsen
• Royal Institution