Half Hours With Modern Scientists: Lectures and EssaysTyndall, John
Philosophy
Half Hours With Modern Scientists: Lectures and Essays
Tyndall, John
Science
These multifarious facts, and numberless others which cannot now be
referred to, are explained by reference to the single principle that
where the scattering particles are small in comparison to the size
of the waves, we have in the reflected light a greater proportion of
the smaller waves, and in the transmitted light a greater proportion
of the larger waves, than existed in the original white light. The
physiological consequence is that in the one light blue is
predominant, and in the other light orange or red. And now let us
push our inquiries forward. Our best microscopes can readily reveal
objects not more than 1/50000 of an inch in diameter. This is less
than the length of a wave of red light. Indeed, a first-rate
microscope would enable us to discern objects not exceeding in
diameter the length of the smallest waves of the visible spectrum.
By the microscope, therefore, we can submit our particles to an
experimental test. If they are as large as the light-waves they will
infallibly be seen; and if they are not seen it is because they are
smaller.
I placed in the hands of our president a bottle containing Brücke’s
particles in greater number and coarseness than those examined by
Brücke himself. The liquid was a milky blue, and Mr. Huxley applied
to it his highest microscopic power. He satisfied me at the time
that had particles of even 1/100000 of an inch in diameter existed
in the liquid they could not have escaped detection. But no
particles were seen. Under the microscope the turbid liquid was not
to be distinguished from distilled water. Brücke, I may say, also
found the particles to be of ultra microscopic magnitude.
But we have it in our power to imitate far more closely than we have
hitherto done the natural conditions of this problem. We can
generate in air, as many of you know, artificial skies, and prove
their perfect identity with the natural one as regards the
exhibition of a number of wholly unexpected phenomena. By a
continuous process of growth, moreover, we are able to connect sky
matter, if I may use the term, with molecular matter on the one
side, and with molar matter, or matter in sensible masses, on the
other.
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