About the Electricity Experiments of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was not only a founding father of the United States of America; he was also a great inventor and innovator. He first drew electricity from the clouds by conducting experiments in order to examine it, and prove that lightning is nothing but electricity. His experiments formed the basis for other inventions that we still use today.

History

Benjamin Franklin's experiment on electricity included an infamous event in the summer of 1752 when he made a kite with silk, which he sent up with a cord made of hemp. To avoid damaging the paper under the rain, he used silk instead of paper. At the top end was an iron point and at the bottom part of the string was a key. Accompanied by his son, Benjamin Franklin raised the kite while staying under a shed to avoid getting wet. The long wait almost made him give up until he noticed loose fibers on the string. When his knuckle touched the key, he received a strong spark with an electrifying sensation. The key drew repeated sparks that charged the vial, and all the experiments made yielded electricity.

Effects

The results of Benjamin Franklin's experiment on electricity led to further repeated experiments conducted by famous scientists at that time. A French scientist by the name of Buffon was among those that repeated the experiment with success. Buffon's repetition of Franklin's experiment spread around France, much to Franklin's credit. Even King Louis XIV heard about the famous experiments and wished to see it for himself. After the experiment concluded, the king applauded Franklin for his principles and complimented Buffon, along with Dalibard and De Lor for translating and ascertaining the truth of the theory.

Theories/Speculation

Benjamin Franklin's experiment on electricity became inspirations for two famous scientists: Michael Faraday and Thomas A. Edison. They used Benjamin Franklin's ideas to continue to study electricity. Faraday followed Benjamin Franklin's footsteps, which led to his discovery that by moving a magnet inside a wire coil can produce electricity. He was able to build the first electric motor then later built the first generator and transformer. Edison's studies of electricity led to the invention of the incandescent light bulb and made electricity the main light source in many homes during his time and the generations that followed.

Significance

The successful experiment led to Franklin's invention of the lightning rod and then the Leyden jar as an electrical condenser. He built the lightning rods to attract electricity to his house by attaching them to a system of bells. Each time the rods attracted electricity, the bells rang throughout his house. His house lit up with the sparks produced. Franklin's experiments became the basis for the evolution of the common battery people use today.

Significance

Benjamin Franklin's experiments on electricity became the foundation of many inventions such as electricity, batteries, incandescent light bulb, electromagnetic fields, generators, transformers and other related items. His experiments became the origin of the "plus" and "minus" nomenclature that are still in use today. The positive and the negative charges helped identify the atmospheric and frictional electricity.

Resources

• Franklin and his Electric Kite