| German chemist who, with Gustav Kirchhoff, about
1859 observed that each element emits a light of characteristic
wavelength. These studies opened the field of spectrum analysis,
which became of great importance in the study of the Sun and
stars and also led Bunsen almost immediately to his discovery
of two alkali-group metals, cesium and rubidium.
After taking his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of
Göttingen (1830), Bunsen taught at the universities
of Marburg and Breslau and elsewhere. As professor at Heidelberg
(1852–99), he built up an excellent school of chemistry.
Never married, he lived for his students, with whom he was
very popular, and his laboratory. He chiefly concerned himself
with experimental and analytical work.
He found an antidote to arsenic poisoning in freshly precipitated,
hydrated ferric oxide (1834). In 1837 he began his only
notable venture into organic chemistry with a study of the
highly toxic, arsenic-containing compound cacodyl. During
six years of work with it, he lost the sight in one eye
from an explosion and nearly killed himself from arsenic
poisoning. His research led to profitable studies of organometallic
compounds by his student Edward Frankland. Eventually, Bunsen
barred organic research in his laboratory.
Bunsen's studies of the composition of gases given off
from blast furnaces showed that 50 to 80 percent or more
of the heat was wasted and led to elaboration of his methods
of measuring volumes of gases in his only publication, Gasometrische
Methoden (1857).
In 1841 he invented the carbon-zinc electric cell known
by his name. To measure the light produced by it, he developed
the grease-spot photometer (1844). He was the first to obtain
magnesium in the metallic state and study its physical and
chemical properties, demonstrating the brilliance and reaction-producing
(actinic) qualities of the flame when magnesium is burned
in air.
Bunsen also invented the filter pump (1868), the ice calorimeter
(1870), and the vapour calorimeter (1887). Though he is
generally credited with the invention of the Bunsen burner,
he seems to have contributed to its development only in
a minor way.
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