Did Benjamin Franklin Really Discover Electrical Charge in 1747?

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In summary, Benjamin Franklin is credited with the invention of labeling batteries with the symbols + and -, but it wasn't until much later that the concept of electricity as a charge was introduced. It took almost 150 years for the term "electron" to be coined for the elementary charge of electricity.
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Geir19
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Is it true that it's Benjamin Franklin who in 1747 discovered the plus and minus of electrical charge?!?

Is the year 1747 of any significance for the discovery of electricity at all?!
 
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Geir19 said:
Is it true that it's Benjamin Franklin who in 1747 discovered the plus and minus of electrical charge?!?

Is the year 1747 of any significance for the discovery of electricity at all?!
You've already been warned not to post your numerology nonsense, so if that's where you are headed, don't go there.
 
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And to answer the question: Franklin invented the convention of labeling batteries (in his case, Leyden jars) with the symbols + and -, as he was of the opinion that electricity was a flow from a surplus to a deficit. Of exactly what this surplus consisted of or what actual direction it flowed, he didn't know. Given a fifty-fifty chance, he guessed.

It wasn't until over a 100 years later that the idea of electricity being the a charge was introduced. and almost 150 until the term "electron" was coined for the elementary charge of electricity.

At the end of the 19th century a negatively charged particle that fit the bill was discovered and was named the electron.
 

FAQ: Did Benjamin Franklin Really Discover Electrical Charge in 1747?

What is the significance of Franklin's discovery of the plus and minus of electric charge in 1747?

Franklin's discovery of the plus and minus of electric charge was significant because it helped to explain the concept of electricity and paved the way for further research and advancements in the field. It also led to the development of the modern understanding of electricity and its properties.

How did Franklin discover the plus and minus of electric charge?

Franklin conducted experiments with electricity, including his famous kite experiment, to observe the properties of electric charge. Through his observations and analysis, he was able to determine the existence of both positive and negative charges.

Was Franklin the first person to discover the plus and minus of electric charge?

While Franklin is often credited with the discovery of the plus and minus of electric charge, it is important to note that other scientists, such as Benjamin Wilson and William Watson, also made similar discoveries around the same time period.

How did Franklin's discovery of the plus and minus of electric charge impact society?

Franklin's discovery of the plus and minus of electric charge had a significant impact on society as it paved the way for the development of new technologies and inventions that utilize electricity. It also sparked further research and advancements in the field of electricity and its applications.

Are there any misconceptions about Franklin's discovery of the plus and minus of electric charge?

There are some misconceptions about Franklin's discovery, such as the idea that he "invented" electricity. In reality, he was simply one of the many scientists who contributed to our understanding of electricity and its properties.

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