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476
IV. EDUCATION AND MENTAL CULTURE IN SWEDEN.
A. J. Ångström (1814/74) was
one of Uppsala’s most celebrated
physicists. Already in 1853 he established
some of the principles of the spectrum
analysis. In accentuating that ia
radiant body emits exactly the kinds of
light it absorbs at ordinary
temperature», he became one of the foremost
founders of the spectrum analysis. Among
his other optical works may be
mentioned his atlas of the solar spectrum,
which was for a long time the norm
for all determinations of wave-lengths,
his crystal-optical researches, and those
ou the spectrum of the aurora borealis.
Moreover, by a particularly ingenious
method, he made determinations on the
absolute conductivity of heat of several
bodies. — Another of Sweden’s most
eminent physicists was E. Edlund
(1819/88),. who worked out a new
theory to explain the electrical
phenomena, supposing, like Franklin, but
one electric fluid, which he identified
with the ether of light. He tried to explain the electrodynamic phenomena by
the current of ether. Amongst his numerous experimental investigations may be
particularly mentioned his works on extra currents; on the heating effects of
induction currents; on the so-called unipolar induction, by which he tried to
explain the aurora borealis and the atmospheric electricity; on phenomena connected
with the discharge in rarefied gases, which, in accordance with his theory, led
hirn to suppose a vacuum to be a good conductor of electricity. Further, he
discovered the electro-motive force in the electric arc; he investigated the
development of heat by compression of metals, and tried by the stretching of wire to
determine the mechanical equivalent of heat; he studied also the formation ol
ice in the sea.
Among other eminent Swedish physicists of the past, may be mentioned
F. Wrede (1802 93), who directed his attention chiefly to optics; P. A.
Silje-ström (1815/92), who carried on a series of experiments with regard to the
validity of Boyle’s law at low pressures, and John Ericsson (1803/89), of whose
remarkable discoveries and studies may here be noticed his experiments on
radiating heat and his invention of the calorific and the sun machine. The great
chemist J. Berzelius (1779/1848) exercised also a great influence on physics,
more especially through his masterly »Annuals», which were published by the
Academy of Sciences in Stockholm during the period of 1821 47, and which also
gave account of the results of contemporary scientific researches in physics.
One of the oldest Swedish physicists now living is T. R. Thalén (born 1827),
formerly professor at Uppsala. He has carried on experiments of great delicacy
regarding spectrum analysis, and was the assistant of Ångström at many of his
labours in the same field. Magnetism is also the subject of many works of
Thalén; thus he has given, among other things, important contributions to our
knowledge of terrestrial magnetic conditions in Sweden, and also methods of
investigating mining fields.
Among other physicists now living may be named: A. V. Backlund (born
1845, professor at Luud), who has published important works on mathematical
Svante Arrhenius.
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