Competent scientist and diplomat

In addition to all his other accomplishments Benjamin Franklin was a competent scientist. He marvelled at the newly invented Leyden Jar and was among the first to realize that it could store electricity. The natural phenomenon, lightning, also interested him deeply. Franklin was the first to prove that lightning was just a gigantic electrical spark. In November 1749, he drew up a list showing twelve ways in which lightning and electricity were similar. Then he invented a way "of drawing the electric fire from the clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings" and a lightning rod for that.

In June 1752, he risked his life and that of his son William, who helped him, to prove that lightning is an electrical discharge. They made a kite of silk on a cedar frame tipped with metal wire. Standing in a doorway, they flew it in a thunderstorm. A silk ribbon was attached to the lower end of a silken kite-string. Franklin held a dry portion of the silk ribbon. A metal key was suspended from the kite-string above the ribbon. Below the key was a Leyden Jar. At first nothing happened, but as the kite-string got wet from the rain, electricity began to flow. Sparks jumped between the key and the Leyden Jar. The electric current hadn't been able to travel along the kite-string till it got wet. Dry silk is a non­conductor, but wet silk, like metal, is a good conductor of electricity.

Franklin's observations on electricity were published in London in 1751 and brought him the applause of British scientists. He gave the study of electricity a boost. In the hundred years after he flew his kite, Coulomb, Ampere, Ohm and Volta all made important discoveries. As printer, journalist, scientist, philosopher and statesman, Benjamin Franklin was one of the most prominent men of his age.

Having retired from business, Franklin became a diplomat. He was a born diplomat, and spent nearly twenty years abroad. In 1757-1763 he represented American colonies in England. He was one of the first to notice the impossibility of compromise between the colonies and their mother country.

Franklin's favourite proverbs published in his "poor richard's almanac"

One day is worth two tomorrows. Constant dropping wears away stones.

Early to bed, and early to rise,

Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

The sleeping fox catches no poultry.

No morning sun lasts a whole day.

God helps them that help themselves.

Lost time is never found again.

Little strokes fell great oaks.

Creditors have better memories than debtors.

Notes:

accomplishments — достоинства

a competent scientist — настоящий ученый

He marvelled at the newly invented Leyden Jar and was among the first to realize that it could store electricity. — Он был восхищен недавно изобретенной лейденской банкой и одним из первых догадался, что она может накапливать электричество

similar — подобный

pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings — заостренные железные стержни, установленные на высоких зданиях

lightning rod — громоотвод

an electrical discharge — электрический разряд

cedar — кедр

kite-string — бечевка для пускания змея

to be suspended — быть подвешенным, свисать

electric current — электрический ток

non-conductor — не проводящий электричество материал

applause — восхищение, похвалы

to give a boost — дать толчок, придать ускорение

Coulomb, Ampere, Ohm and Volta — Кулон, Ампер, Ом и Вольта

a born diplomat — прирожденный дипломат

Не was one of the first to notice the impossibility of compromise — Он был одним из первых, кто заметил невоз­можность компромисса

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

In addition, the newly invented, a competent scientist, a gigantic electrical spark, a lightning rod, a silken kite-string, also interested him deeply.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

In June 1752, a metal key, to travel along, as printer, journalist, a diplomat.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

Accomplishments, a list, electric current, non-conductor, applause, to give a boost.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What experiment did Benjamin Franklin set?

2. What did he invent?

3. Why did he risk his life in June 1752?

4. Were Franklin's observations on electricity important?

5. What did Franklin do in 1757-1763?