Franklin’s Famous Kite Experiment

The main idea of each part Part 1 Para 1 to Para 3 Brief introduction about the purpose and result of kite experiment. Part 2 Para 4 to Para 6 How to make the kite and how to do the experiment.

Experiment’s name Purpose Time Result Conclusion To show that lightning and electricity are the same In June 1752 The string was getting charged, “I” collect and store a great deal of electricity in the condenser. The experiment proves that lightning and electricity are the same. Kite Experiment

Make a kite Tie a silk ribbon to the string Build the frame of the kite Tie the corners of the handkerchief Make a small cross Tie a long string Fix a very sharp piece of metal Fasten a key to the end of the string

True or False  In 1752 scientists already knew what electricity is.  Franklin was helped by a friend to do the experiment.  Franklin made the kite of silk because wet silk does not conduct electricity.  A condenser was used in the experiment to store electricity.  The key tied to the string was put into the door to stop the kite from flying away. T F F T F

Discussion Do you think Franklin’s experiment was dangerous? List the difficulties that Franklin met when he was doing the kite experiment How did Franklin solve these problems?

It is difficult to go and look for lightning A kite made of paper won’t last long in rainy weather A silk kite doesn’t attract lightning He had to collect and store the electricity He had to make sure that he would not be hit by the lightning He had to stop the kite from flying away, without touching the string that would be charged with electricity He had to direct the electricity towards the condenser He attracted lightning by using a kite. His kite was made of silk. He fixed a sharp piece of metal to the top of the longer stick. He brought a condenser. He used a small shed in the fields. He tied a silk ribbon to the string that he kept dry. He tied a metal key to the end of the string.

Homework Read the text at least five times, and retell how to do Franklin’s famous kite experiment. Finish the exercise of Word Study on P 26 Finish the exercise of Unit 16 in EB A.