Unit 16 Scientists at work

Albert Einstein: a world- famous scientist in physics, he believed in the power of imagination Madame curie received the Nobel Prize for her discovery of Radium.

Charles Darwin is the father of modern biology. Alexander Fleming,his discovery of penicillin saved millions of lives.

Benjamin Franklin was an inventor,writer,scientist and a great man on American history. American $ 100 bill

Franklin’s experiment with the kite, in which he proved that lightning is electricity, is one of his most famous experiments.

Please observe the following picture carefully. The picture is helpful for you to understand the reading passage well. The picture shows that Franklin conducted the famous kite experiment with his son.

Read the following statements and decide if they are true(T) or false (F). 1. in 1752 scientists already knew what electricity is. 2. Franklin was helped by a friend to do the experiment. 3. Franklin made the kite of silk because wet silk does not conduct electricity. 4. A condenser was used in the experiment to store electricity. 5. The key tied to the string was put into the door to stop the kite from flying away. (T) (F) (T) (F)

Answer the following questions 1.Why did Benjamin Franklin do this experiment with the kite? He wanted to prove that lightning and electricity are the same thing. A silk kite will last longer in bad weather than a paper kite. Yes, Franklin’s experiment was very dangerous because if something went wrong he could be killed by the lightning. 3.Do you think Franklin’s experiment was dangerous? Explain. 2.Why is it better to make the kite of silk than of paper?

Unit 16 scientists at work 1.prove + that prove sb./sth(to be)+n./adj e.g. This experiment proves that lightning electricity are the same. He proved himself to be an excellent teacher. 2.appear + that appear + adj appear to be doing e.g. It appears that I am wrong. His point of view appears right. He appears to be talking to himself. 3.take care that e.g.Take care that the string does not touch the wall or the door Verbs:

1.do/carry out/perform/make an experiment 2.a great deal of + (u.)n. 3.a number of + (c.)n. 4.tie…to … 5.protect…from doing… Phrases: Sentence Pattern : Having done…, subject + verb… e.g. Having received my brother’s letter, I decided to write to him soon.