Lightning Rod Electricity Benjamin Franklin Inventions

By 1750 in addition to wanting to prove that lightning was electricity franklin began to think about protecting people buildings and other structures from lightning.

Lightning rod electricity benjamin franklin inventions. If lightning hits the structure it will preferentially strike the rod and be conducted to ground through a wire instead of passing through the structure where it could start a fire or cause electrocution. It was during this time in 1750 that franklin sent collinson a letter proposing an experiment that would draw lightning through a 30 foot rod. William was the only other witness of the. During 1746 franklin an american scientist and inventor first stumbled upon other scientists electrical experiments in boston massachusetts.

None of benjamin franklin s inventions were patented. As you might know for sure benjamin franklin was not only an enthusiastic scientist inventor and author but also one of the founding fathers of the united states his roots lay back in boston where he was born in 1706. Here are some of benjamin franklin s most significant inventions. Benjamin franklin s love for storms was the driving force that led to his invention of lightning rod based conduction of electricity.

He took his 21 year old son william with him. On june 15 1752 benjamin franklin proved that lightning is electricity and invented the lightning rod through his experiments with kites. In 1746 franklin was closely watching the work of other scientists in boston and their experiments involving electricity. They were also known as lightning attractor or franklin rod.

In 1749 benjamin franklin invented the lightning rod. He became interested in finding more about electricity. Franklin is known for his experiments with electricity most notably the kite experiment a fascination that began in earnest after he accidentally shocked himself in 1746. He concluded that electricity was fluid.

This grew into his idea for the lightning rod. When lightning struck the chimney rod electricity would flow through the wire and cause the bells to ring allowing franklin to observe the movement of the brass ball. Benjamin franklin performed his kite experiment in june 1752 after the first lightning experiments were performed in france following his proposal but before he had heard of them. During the 1700s lightning was a major cause of fires to buildings which were mainly of wood construction.

A lightning rod us aus or lightning conductor is a metal rod mounted on a structure and intended to protect the structure from a lightning strike. Following suit he opted to venture into some lab trials of his own throughout 1747. Early years of benjamin frankflin. In 1752 franklin conducted his famous kite flying experiments and proved that lightning is electricity.

Franklin described an iron rod about 8 or 10 feet long that was sharpened to a point at the end.