Have you ever heard the story of Benjamin Franklin flying a kite in a storm? It’s a famous tale, but not exactly how it happened. Let’s dive into the real story of Franklin’s experiment and how it changed the world!
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, and he was one of 17 children in his family. His family made candles, but Franklin had a different path. After just two years of school, he started working with his brother in a printing shop. There, he learned to write funny and clever stories. But what Franklin really loved was science!
In the 1700s, people were just starting to learn about electricity. They were curious and tried different experiments to make sparks. Franklin had a big idea: he thought that lightning was a kind of electricity. He wanted to prove it with an experiment.
In June 1752, Franklin and his son decided to test his idea. They flew a silk kite with a metal rod during a storm. As the storm came closer, the kite and its string started to gather electricity. Franklin noticed sparks when he moved his hand near a key attached to the kite string. This showed that storm clouds had electricity in them!
Franklin’s experiment was a big deal. It helped people understand more about natural laws, just like Isaac Newton did with gravity. Because of this, Franklin became famous, especially in Europe. He even helped the American colonies become independent from Britain!
While Franklin didn’t discover electricity, he showed that it could be studied and understood through science. His work had a huge impact on both science and history.
Remember, there’s always more to learn and discover. Keep asking questions and exploring the world around you!
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Build Your Own Kite: Just like Benjamin Franklin, you can create your own kite! Use simple materials like paper, string, and sticks. Once your kite is ready, try flying it on a windy day. Observe how the wind helps your kite soar. Think about why Franklin chose a kite for his experiment. What do you think would happen if you flew your kite during a storm? Remember to stay safe and never fly kites in storms!
Static Electricity Experiment: Discover electricity at home with a simple static electricity experiment. Rub a balloon on your hair or a wool sweater and then hold it near small pieces of paper. Watch as the paper jumps up to the balloon! Discuss with your friends or family why this happens. How is this similar to what Franklin discovered about electricity in the clouds?
Imagine a Day Without Electricity: Think about all the things you use every day that need electricity. Make a list of these items. Now, imagine what a day would be like without them. How would you light up your room or keep food cold? Share your thoughts with your class or family. How did Franklin’s discoveries help change the way we live today?
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Once upon a time, Benjamin Franklin famously flew a kite in a storm, leading to the discovery of electricity. While many schoolchildren in America have heard this tale, it is not entirely accurate. The true story of Franklin’s experiment is a pivotal moment in science and history, not just for America, but for the world.
Without this experiment, Franklin might not be as well-known today, and American history could have unfolded quite differently. So, gather ’round as we explore the true story of Benjamin Franklin, a philosopher and innovator from Philadelphia, and how he explored the mysteries of electricity.
Franklin was born in Boston as one of 17 children in a candle-making family. After just two years of school, he began working for his brother in the printing business, where he learned the art of satire. However, his true passion lay in science. During the Enlightenment, Franklin became fascinated with the emerging field of electricity.
In the 1700s, people were intrigued by electricity, experimenting with various materials to create sparks. Franklin’s revolutionary idea was that lightning was a form of electricity. He proposed an experiment involving a long iron rod to capture the electrical charge from a storm cloud.
In June 1752, Franklin and his son launched a silk kite with a metal rod attached. As the storm approached, the kite and line became charged with electricity. Franklin observed sparks as he drew his hand toward the key connected to the kite, demonstrating that thunderclouds were electrified.
This experiment was groundbreaking. Franklin’s work helped to unify the understanding of natural laws, similar to what Isaac Newton had done with gravity. His fame grew, and he became a prominent figure in Europe, eventually aiding the American colonies in their quest for independence from Britain.
In summary, while Franklin did not discover electricity, he showed the world that it could be understood through scientific inquiry. His contributions had a lasting impact on science and history.
Stay curious.
We’d like to thank Target for being a proud supporter of PBS. Since its inception, Target has aimed to help families discover the joy of everyday life. With over 350,000 team members, Target is dedicated to being a good neighbor and working with communities to make life better.
PBS invites you to share your stories and experiences through the PBS American Portrait project. Starting January 5, be sure to watch PBS American Portrait on the PBS YouTube channel, PBS video app, or your local PBS station.
Your support helps us create more great content like this. Thank you for joining us this week, and we look forward to seeing you in the next video.
