Have you ever seen videos where people use the new British £5 banknote or the Australian $5 note to play music on a record player? It’s pretty amazing! These notes can actually make music, and there’s a fun rivalry between Britain and Australia about which one is better. Some people say the £5 note is more impressive, so let’s explore why these notes are so special.
Both the British and Australian notes are made using the same technology and materials. Interestingly, the British £5 note might not exist if it weren’t for the Australian dollar. Let’s take a quick trip back in time. On February 14, 1966, Australia introduced its own decimal currency and called it the “dollar” after a nationwide competition.
Back then, some people in Melbourne tried to print fake notes using simple office equipment. They managed to make a lot of fake money, but most of them ended up in jail because one of their group members told the police. This led to people being suspicious of $10 notes.
In 1968, the Reserve Bank of Australia teamed up with the national science agency, CSIRO, to create a new type of banknote made from polymer. This new note was first introduced in 1988. The technology behind these polymer banknotes has improved over the years, leading to the release of the new $5 note in September 2016.
These banknotes have advanced security features, like a transparent window with a special device that changes appearance when you look at it from different angles. If you have a microscope lens, you can even see tiny text on the $10 note, including a poem by Banjo Paterson.
One of the coolest things about these notes is that you can use them as a needle to play music on a record player. While older notes can work, the new ones are better because they’re crisp and new. The polymer used for these notes is called BOPP, which is non-fibrous and non-porous. This means it’s flexible but still has sharp corners, which are perfect for playing music. The corners move along the grooves of the record, creating vibrations that make sound.
In the last 20 years, this polymer banknote technology has been shared with 24 other countries, including Canada and Mexico. So, thanks to Australian science, many countries now use these amazing banknotes.
These banknotes are not just cool; they’re a great example of how science and technology can make everyday things more interesting and secure.
Thanks to Prudential for sponsoring this episode. It’s important to think about your future needs, especially when planning for retirement. A study by Prudential found that many Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement and might not be able to maintain their current lifestyle. Visit www.prudential.com/savemore to learn how saving more today can help you enjoy the things you love tomorrow.
Design your own polymer banknote using art supplies. Think about the security features you would include, such as transparent windows or microprinting. Share your design with the class and explain why you chose those features.
Conduct an experiment to explore how sound is produced through vibrations. Use a simple setup with a rubber band and a box to demonstrate how vibrations create sound, similar to how the banknotes play music on a record player.
Research the history of currency in a country of your choice. Create a timeline highlighting key changes and innovations, such as the introduction of polymer banknotes. Present your findings to the class.
Participate in a class debate about which banknote is better: the British £5 or the Australian $5. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your argument. Be prepared to counter the opposing team’s points.
Create an interactive map showing the countries that use polymer banknotes. Include information about when each country adopted the technology and any unique features of their banknotes. Share your map with the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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You may have seen some videos online featuring the new British £5 banknote and the new Australian $5 note being used as a needle for a record player. It’s pretty cool – they actually play music! But like any story involving Britain and Australia, there’s a friendly rivalry about which one is better. According to some reports, the £5 note is considered more impressive than Australia’s. So, I felt compelled to investigate.
It turns out that the science behind these two notes is exactly the same; they’re made from the same technology and materials. Interestingly, the new £5 banknote wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for the Australian dollar. Let me take you back in time. On February 14, 1966, Australia introduced its own decimal currency. After a nationwide competition to name the notes, we settled on “dollar.”
Around the same time, some individuals in a Melbourne pub devised a plan to print fake notes using simple office equipment, pocketing a significant amount in forgeries. However, most of them ended up in jail the following year due to a police informant among them, leading to a general distrust of $10 notes.
In 1968, the Reserve Bank of Australia collaborated with the national science agency CSIRO to create the polymer banknote, which debuted in 1988. This technology underwent extensive testing before its release. The polymer banknote technology has continued to improve, culminating in the release of the new $5 note in September 2016.
These banknotes feature advanced security elements, including a transparent window with an Optically Variable Device that changes appearance when viewed from different angles. The anti-counterfeiting features are quite impressive. For example, if you have a clip-on microscope lens, you can see microtext printed on the $10 note, including a poem by Banjo Paterson.
The best part is that you can use these notes as a record needle. While older notes can work, the new ones are more effective due to their crisp condition. The polymer used for these notes is called BOPP, which is non-fibrous and non-porous. Its structure allows for flexibility while maintaining sharp corners, which are essential for making music. The corners ride along the grooves of the record, creating vibrations that amplify sound.
In the last 20 years, this polymer banknote technology has been licensed to 24 other countries, including Canada and Mexico. So, thank you for using our Australian science, Britain, and to all the other countries as well.
I hope everyone realizes how cool these banknotes are.
Thanks to Prudential for sponsoring this episode. It’s important to prioritize future needs when planning for retirement. According to a Prudential study, many Americans are not saving enough for retirement and are not on track to maintain their current standard of living. Visit www.prudential.com/savemore to learn how saving more today can help you enjoy the things you love tomorrow.
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This version removes any informal language, slang, and specific references that may not be suitable for all audiences while maintaining the core message and information.
Banknote – A piece of paper money issued by a bank, used as a medium of exchange. – The banknote was designed with special features to prevent counterfeiting.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – In science class, we learned about the process of photosynthesis in plants.
Polymer – A large molecule composed of many repeated subunits, used in various materials and products. – Scientists developed a new polymer that is both strong and flexible for use in medical devices.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have made it possible to communicate instantly with people around the world.
Music – The art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. – Researchers study how music can affect the brain and improve concentration.
Australia – A country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans, known for its unique wildlife and ecosystems. – Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world.
Currency – The system of money in general use in a particular country. – The currency of Japan is the yen, which is used for all transactions in the country.
Security – The state of being free from danger or threat, often related to measures taken to protect against crime or attack. – Online security is crucial to protect personal information from hackers.
Vibrations – Rapid motions back and forth or up and down, often producing sound. – The vibrations from the earthquake were felt miles away from the epicenter.
Future – The time yet to come, often considered in terms of potential developments or advancements. – Scientists are working on new technologies that could shape the future of transportation.
