Benjamin Franklin proposed an oversimplified theory of electricity as a single fluid-like substance, which preceded modern understanding. He described electric charges using terms like plus and minus, and his contributions to the science of electricity are significant.
Benjamin Franklin proposed that electricity was a single, fluid-like substance, not two as others thought. Although this theory was an oversimplification, it preceded the modern understanding of electricity. He described the fluid’s presence in excess or deficit using terms like “plus” and “minus,” which are still used today to describe electric charges.
Franklin concluded that the fluid could move or be collected but not created or destroyed, known as the law of conservation of charge. He also distinguished between materials that do not transmit electricity and those that do, naming conductors.
J.J. Thomson, discoverer of the electron, said Franklin’s contributions to the science of electricity “can hardly be overestimated.”
Franklin was a prolific inventor, working on printing techniques, lightning rods, and efficient stoves. His approach to science was characterized by joy, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from failures.
Franklin’s approach to science was marked by humility and a commitment to understanding the natural world. He was aware of the dangers of electricity and took precautions during his famous kite experiment, which revealed lightning’s electric nature.
- sciencenews.org | A new biography of Benjamin Franklin puts science at the forefront
