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Lord Rayleigh discovering argon, 1894
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Lord Rayleigh discovering argon, 1894
Lord Rayleigh working with argon, as depicted in a caricature published in the British weekly magazine Vanity Fair in 1899. John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh (1842-1919), was an English physicist. In 1894, with Scottish chemist William Ramsay, he isolated the noble gas argon from the air, an achievement for which he was awarded the 1904 Nobel Prize in Physics. Strutt also discovered the optical phenomenon now called Rayleigh scattering. This phenomenon explains the diffuse sky radiation that causes the skys blue colour. From 1905 to 1908 he served as President of the Royal Society. Artwork by F. T. Dalton ( FTD )
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Media ID 9196025
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This lithograph captures the historic moment when Lord Rayleigh, accompanied by Scottish chemist William Ramsay, made a groundbreaking discovery in 1894. Depicted in a caricature published in Vanity Fair magazine in 1899, this artwork showcases the illustrious English physicist at work with argon, an element that had eluded scientists for centuries. Lord Rayleigh's tireless research and experimentation led to the isolation of argon from air, marking a significant milestone in the field of physical chemistry. This remarkable achievement earned him the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physics in 1904. However, his contributions extended beyond this monumental discovery. The portrait also pays homage to Lord Rayleigh's exploration of light scattering phenomena known as Rayleigh scattering. His findings shed light on why our sky appears blue due to diffuse sky radiation—an optical phenomenon now named after him. Notably, Lord Rayleigh served as President of the Royal Society from 1905 to 1908—a testament to his esteemed status within scientific circles. This lithograph serves as a visual tribute to his immense contributions and enduring legacy. Created by F. T. Dalton (FTD), this historical illustration transports us back to an era where pioneering minds like Lord Rayleigh pushed boundaries and expanded our understanding of the natural world. It stands as a timeless reminder of human curiosity and relentless pursuit of knowledge that continues to shape our world today.
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