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The Beginnings of the Green House Effect
Between 1859 and 1861 Tyndall focused on different gases and their ability to absorb and transmit infrared radiation. His most significant discovery during this time was finding that water vapor and CO2 (greenhouse gases) have re-emitting infrared radiation properties. Meaning when the Sun emits radiation, the greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere retain the heat from the radiation. -
Tyndall Effect
During the 1860s, John Tyndall conducted many experiments on light passing through colloidal substances and its properties. The light passing through the medium would scatter across the particles present and reflect a cone shaped light. The became known as the “Tyndall Effect” or “Tyndall Phenomenon” which laid the foundation for his accomplishments in atmospheric science a few years later. -
Atmospheric Science
Tyndall developed his findings from gasses and their role in the atmosphere by observing the effect on Earth’s climate. Around 1863, he began to pass on his knowledge on the Earth’s climate and the weather by giving lectures and writing papers. -
Spontaneous Generation is Wrong!
Tyndall was very public with his scientific finding and theories. By 1881, he was able to discredit the Theory of Spontaneous Generation. This theory proposed life could “generate” from non-living matter. He was able to prove this theory wrong with experiments showcasing food would not decay in germ-free air.