BACKGROUND:
Throughout the world,
many myths have evolved around lightning and thunder. Many of these
myths include gods who controlled the phenomena. Zeus (Greek), Jupiter
(Roman), Iko (New Zealand), Kvum (Pygmies/Africa), Wakan (Dakota
Indians/North America), are just a few names that lightning has been
associated with. There are many beliefs that also revolve around
lightning. Some made sense and others are nonsense. For instance, in the
United States, France and Germany, it was thought that only milk could
extinguish a fire caused by lightning.
Any discussion of electricity always seems to lead to lightning and
Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was always curious about natural phenomena.
In the mid 1700's, electricity was the "rage" in Europe.
Scientists, inventors, and people curious about electricity, wanted to
learn more about it. Franklin researched the subject and conducted
several experiments. He published a short book on the subject that
literally made him famous. In France, Franklin did several experiments
but he conducted his infamous kit flying experiment in a thunderstorm in
Pennsylvania. It is Franklin's description of electricity that is still
used today and includes such terms as positive, negative, battery and
conductor. You may want to focus on Ben Franklin's life to illustrate
his curiosity. Franklin invented the lighting rod which allowed lighting
to strike the rod and then the energy goes harmlessly into the ground.
Many times lighting would strike a home and burn it. The lighting rod
was so successful, that Franklin sold fire insurance to people if they
installed a lighting rod.
Lightning occurs when atmospheric conditions create centers of negative
and positive charge. There is a point where a lightning flash or a large
electrical spark in the atmosphere is created. There are many forms of
lightning from streaks to even small beads in the sky. Lightning is an
example of static electricity which seeks to go through a ground. This
is usually metal or the highest object in an area. The mechanisms
responsible for lightning are complicated but children are fascinated by
the power of lightning.
PROCEDURE:
- Have the students do some research
on Ben Franklin, by either using the Internet or books you may have
available. You may want students to write a paragraph about Ben Franklin’s
accomplishments as a scientist.
- As an added activity you may want
students to develop their own myths about lightning. Suggest they ask
people at home what they think lightning is. From that information have
them create a story.
