Question

Explain atmospheric electricity. How did Benjamin Franklin prove the lighting strikes dues to atmospheric electricity?

Answer 1

1. Earth's atmosphere contains electric charges. Atmospheric electricity is the study of charges present in the Earth’s atmosphere.
2. Benjamin Franklin performed an experiment where he flew a kite during a thunderstorm.
3. The kite was made of thin silk cloth and iron wires which were used as the cross wire of the kite.
4. A silk thread was also attached to the central spar of the kite and on the other end of the silk thread, a key made of ion was tied.
5. When it was raining he observed bright sparks between the key and his fingers giving him an electric shock.
6. Through which he concluded that clouds contain electric charges and it was transferred to his hand through the silk kite, silk thread, and key.