N rays or no rays

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the scientific community in Europe was excited by the discovery of a new type of radiation - N radiation! Researchers investigated, articles were written - until an American physicist arrived and proved that neither bears nor horns, the scientists believed the story they told themselves

Author: Gilad Diamant, young Galileo

At the beginning of 1903, eight years after the German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays, the news spread among scientists in France about the discovery of a new type of radiation - N radiation. René Blondelot, one of the famous physicists of that time, discovered this radiation and named it after the city of Nancy That's where she was discovered. Blondeau noticed that the radiation causes the electrical discharges it passes through to appear brighter. He split the N-rays into different frequencies by an aluminum-coated prism and performed a multitude of measurements and experiments to characterize the radiation.

Many researchers, mainly in France, began conducting experiments with N radiation, and discovered amazing phenomena. Soon, various sources were discovered that emit these rays, various detectors that can detect it and materials that transmit or block it. Augustin Charpentier, professor of biophysics, discovered, for example, that rabbits and frogs emit N radiation, muscles emit it, but tendons do not. He also discovered that exposure to N rays increased the sensitivity of the eye, the sense of smell and the sense of hearing. He noticed that the radiation emanating from living things was slightly different from normal N radiation, and called these rays "physiological rays". It was also found that these rays can be transmitted through wire. In total, 120 scientists published about 300 articles on the subject. The rumor about the new horns made waves in the world. Well-known scientists tried to measure the effects of N-rays, but many of them failed to reproduce the results. Suspicions began to arise that something was not right.

Wood's antics

Robert Wood was an American physicist who became famous mainly for the study of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. His areas of interest were many, including solving crimes using scientific methods. When he heard about the new rays, he came to France to check what it was all about. In the well-known science weekly "Nature" (Teva) a letter was published near the end of 1904 in which he wrote: "I set out on my path surrounded by doubts, but with the hope that I would be convinced of the reality of the phenomenon. The first experiment I witnessed was the change in brightness of an electric spark when N rays are focused on it by means of an aluminum lens. The researchers said it was easy to notice the differences in brightness, but I didn't notice even a slight change. They explained to me that my eyes are probably not sensitive enough. I suggested that the researchers try - while observing the brightness of the spot on the screen - to identify when I am blocking the N-rays with my hands, without knowing when I am blocking the rays. In no case was a correct answer given. It was announced that the spot was alternately light and dark, even though my hand was constantly blocking the path of the rays."

At this point, Wood moved to another trick: under the cover of darkness that prevailed in the demonstration room, he removed the saw, which was the most critical component of the experiment. The researchers continued to report the same pattern of N-rays, although such a pattern could not be seen in a situation where the prism was not in place (if it was actually in the N-rays, of course). In another experiment, spots of phosphorescent paint were supposed to change their sharpness as a result of moving back and forth a metal plate near them. Wood continued his antics: "While holding the metal plate behind my back I moved my arm back and forth in relation to the screen. The researchers continued to describe the same changes."

Wood summarized his visit: "Not only did I not see even one convincing experiment, but I was convinced that all the brightness changes that were reported and were the only evidence for the existence of N-rays are only a figment of the imagination. It seems strange that after a year's work on the subject, not even one experiment was planned that could convince a critical viewer that the rays even exist."

The publication of Wood's report had an overwhelming effect. Only one study supporting the existence of N-rays was published after this embarrassing revelation. Blundello himself, who retired in 1909, was convinced of the existence of his horns until at least 1926.

failed themselves

How do 120 scientists manage to measure something that doesn't exist? The existence of N radiation was deduced based on visual evidence only - distinguishing slight brightness changes between light spots. Because the researchers' minds interpreted what they saw, and not a measuring device - their expectations and desires influenced what they saw. The scientists unconsciously tricked themselves into seeing what they expected to see! What is interesting in this case is the spread of "seeing the veil" among an entire community of scientists, even repeating the experiments in other laboratories and with different equipment was not enough to shatter her delusion. This is a classic example of mass delusion.
The simple thing that all those scientists failed at was casting doubt on their senses - the attempt to fail themselves, to put themselves and each other to a simple test, which would clear the biases of "seeing the expected".

The N-ray affair is studied as a historical lesson regarding the dangers lurking in experiments that are not properly planned. This was precisely the essence of the "pranks" performed by Robert Wood; These shattered in a few hours more than a year of intense biased and misguided research.

*From the book "Sharp Thinking - Between Reality and Illusion" by Gilad Diamant.

For Gilad's blog, "Sharp Thinking"

The article was published in the October 2014 issue of Young Galileo

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