XXIX.—On the Prismatic Spectra of the Flames of Compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen

Abstract

The phenomena presented by the prismatic spectra of flames have occupied the attention of many and excellent investigators. In most instances, however, no attempt has been made to procure accurate measurements of the positions of the bright lines which many of the spectra exhibit; and much in this field of observation, therefore, remains to be accomplished. I purpose, from time to time as I shall have leisure, to make a series of observations, whose object shall be the actual numerical determination of the positions of the bright lines in the spectra of flames; and I have commenced the series with an examination of the spectra of the flames of compounds of carbon and hydrogen. In an investigation into the phenomena of flames, the compounds of carbon and hydrogen claim our first attention, as constituting the most important means of artificial illumination; for it is scarcely necessary to remark, that, with the grand exception of sun-light, the combustion of these substances is the source of nearly all the light and heat from which we derive such extensive benefits in the arts and in domestic economy. It will be found, moreover, that the spectra of carbohydrogen flames possess, in common, remarkable features, which seem as yet to have received little attention, but which promise to be of service in explaining the general phenomena of artificial light.