The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-04-03

out lines peculiar TO itself: fourthly,
the light of an incandescent solid or
LIQUID passes through a gaseous body,
certain Of its rays are absorbed and black
lines In the spectrum indicate the nature
OF the substance which absorbed the
ray: hfthly. each element, when gaseous
and incandescent. emits bright rays iden-
teal in color and position in the spectrum
with those which IL absorbs from ngnt
transmitted through IL.
The spectrum of sodium. for instance,
shows two bright lines which correspond
in position with the double black line at
ID 1.-THE sodium line.) Now. applying these
principles to the solar spectrum. inyest-
gators found, from the nature ana po-
sition Of the rays absorbed. that its light
passes through hydrogen. potassium.
sodium. calcium, barium. magnesium,
zinc, iron. chromium. cobalt. nickel,
copper and manganese, all in state OF
gas and constituting part OF the solar en-
velope. whence they conclude that tnese
bodies are present in the substance OF
the sun itslf. from which they have been
yolatilized by heat.
The incandescent vapor OF each ele-
mentary substance has n characteristic
spectrum consisting OF hxed lines, which
never changes. Spectrum analysis. as
this is called furnishes the chemist with
an exquisitely delicate test to enable him
to detect the presence OF minute guam
Titles OF elementary bodies. For instance.
by heating any substance until II becomes
gaseous and incRndescent. he is able by
means OF the lines to read on from the
spectrum the various elements present
in the vapor BY this means several new
elements have been discovered.
Photography has been of very great
assistance TO the spectroscopist by the
10 h.a 81 i'm, Of al cr1v ma v
ing rapid and correct representation OF
the spectrum lines. but also In showing
him a number OF lines of very great Inn
portance situated in the ultraviolet parts
of the spectrum. and which are totally
invisible to the eye.
Professor Nicholson has long been
known as one OF the most distinguished
of American scientists. In 1907 he re
ceived the Nobel science prize, sum OF
$4,000, for his researches into the nature
OF light This Is generally regarded as
the highest international honor paid "a
scientists at the present time. II has
been given &c such men as Professor
Roentgen. the discoverer Of the Roentgen
rays and TO Alexis Carrel. for his
achievement in keeping animal tissues
alive when separated from the body.
Few American scientists are more
highly esteemed in Europe than Michel
son. lie has received a long list o.
honors from foreign scientific bodies. In
Guiding the coveted Copley Medal Of th'
Royal Society OF London.
He was born in 1852. entered thu
United States Navy in 1873. and serve'
as an OFFICER He became an instructo
in physics at the Naval Academy In 1875
Since then he has held many universit,
positions, and he has been head Of tn
department OF physics at the Universit,
OF Chicago since 1892
very interesting personal fact abOu
Professor Nicholson Is that la spite o
his siKiy.three years and his tromendou
scientific labors he is very fine athlete
Indeed. he believes that he would no
have been able 20 do his scientific wor
so efficiently n he had not kept in cor
slant physical training
lie h a particularly good tennis playe
and comparatively few OF the younge
men az the university can beat him a
that game.