Lightning isn't all Doom & Gloom. In fact, the father of modern
experiments, Benjamin Franklin, became intrigued with static electricity
parlor tricks early in his life. You can do them too. The theory
of electrification lies within static charge. The junior version
of lightning is static.
You can:
- make an electric lemon. Lemons
contain citric acid. Put two wires of different metals (one of steel
like a nail, and one of copper) into a lemon. Attach them to meter.
What happens? Electrochemical action is forcing electrons to flow
from one metal to the other.
- "mouth lightning"...Get
your eyes accustomed to the darkness, pop a "Wint-O- Green"
or "Pep-O-Mint" lifesaver into your mouth. Break it up,
opening your mouth while doing so. See the bluish flashes of light?
Nitrogen in the air is activated by the fracturing of (electric charges)
sugars in the candy.
- create electricity.
Scuff your leather-soled shoes across the carpet and sneak up on your
older brother's ear with a "static buzz" on your finger.
-"magnetize" a balloon.
Inflate an ordinary balloon. Rub it briskly on your wool sweater.
Now watch it "stick" to a wall. What is happening? Atomic
theory says that when you pull electrons off an object (rubbing the
plastic), that object will attach to any uncharged (neutral) substance,
like the wall.
Lightning is a transient incident;
however, one's interest in the phenomenon is not transient.
Get it?
Try these Recommended Readings:
George Leon, The Story
of Electricity.
Rudolf Graf, Safe and Simple
Electrical Experiments.
George Barr, Science Tricks
and Magic for Young People.
Elizabeth Wood, Science
from Your Airplane Window.
William Corliss, Lightning,
Auroras, Noctural Lights, and Related Luminous Phenomena
- create electricity.
-"magnetize" a balloon.
George Leon, The Story
of Electricity.