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Definition, History and Examples (Complete)

Tyndall Effect

Tyndall’s Understanding, History, and Effects in Daily Life! Tyndall is a term for the light scattering effect performed by colloidal solutions.

Tyndall Effect

This effect occurs when a solution is exposed to light. This effect causes the sky to be blue during the day and orange in the afternoon.

When a true solution is exposed to light, the light will not be scattered by the solution.

On the other hand, in a colloidal system, light is scattered directly. This happens because colloidal particles have very large particles that can scatter the light rays.

Whereas in true solution, the particles are relatively small, the scattering is small and difficult to observe.

History of the Tyndall Effect

The Tyndall effect was discovered by a physicist who was born on August 2, 1820, named John Tyndall.

John Tyndall

John Tyndall is a scientist who was born into a poor family.

Even so, the John Tyndall family has a high concern and views the importance of science and the world around education.

When John Tyndall finished his education, he started working as a surveyor. A few years later he leveled up. No longer a surveyor, but now he is a professor.

With his knowledge, Tyndall began his research on the heat radiation of water vapor that forms a cloud, the ozone layer, hydrocarbons and CO2 in 1859.

This research was the beginning of the Tyndall effect. To help with his research, John Tyndall used a tool called a spectrophotometer that he assembled himself to measure the absorption of gases in the air.

With this research, Tyndall found a fact that Carbon dioxide, Hydrocarbons, and Ozone can absorb more heat than other types of gases.

Of the many gases, Tyndall found that it was water vapor that enveloped the earth the most.

Through his research, Tyndall discovered a scattering of light made by colloidal particles that causes the greenhouse effect and sky phenomena that have color.

The greenhouse effect and the colorful sky are one of the effects of the Tyndall effect.

greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is actually bad for humans. But on the other hand, the greenhouse effect is what keeps humans alive.

Still using his spectrophotometer, the results released are gases in the atmosphere that absorb heat with different abilities.

In his research, the type of gas that is able to absorb heat with high is greenhouse gases. This gas covers all parts of the earth and stores heat so that humans stay warm at night.

Unfortunately, the inventor of the Tyndall effect died at the age of 73 years on December 4, 1893. In honor of his discovery, his name was immortalized with the name of the effect he discovered.

Tyndall Effect In Daily Life

In addition to the greenhouse effect and the color of the sky, there are also examples of the effects of this effect discovered by John Tyndall.

One of them is when you are in a cinema. When there is smoke billowing, the infocus light will look brighter than normal.

In addition, another example of the Tyndall effect is the vehicle’s headlights which can be seen very clearly during foggy conditions.

Even the situation can be realized even though it is still at a considerable distance.

Thus a discussion of the meaning, history, and examples of the Tyndall effect in everyday life. Hopefully the above discussion can add to your knowledge and can be used in the real world.