‘Dangerous Experiment’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30839, 26 August 1965, Page 3

‘Dangerous Experiment’

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 25. A scientific experiment for primary school children which has been described by the Auckland ElectricPower Board as very dangerous is shown in a book available in Auckland bookshops. The book published by

U.N.E.5.C.0., is called the “U.N.E.S.C.O. Source Book of Science Teaching.” It is a set book in some intermediate schools and is also available to the public. The dangerous experiment is in the section dealing with electricity. It is to make a rheostat, which is an apparatus for varying the resistance in an electrical circuit. A rheostat varies the power output of a circuit and the type described is used for this purpose in later experiments. The experiment would not be dangerous if a battery were used, but a light socket is quoted as a convenient power source. In the experiment wires are attached to two pieces of metal which are placed in a dish of water.

The other ends of the wires are attached to a light socket. In America, where the book is printed, the voltage is 110 but in New Zealand, where the standard voltage is 240, accidental contact with the apparatus could be fatal. When shown the book, power board authorities said they looked upon the experiments with horror. The assistant supply engineer, Mr C. Galich, said noone should attempt this experiment. I “People should keep well

away from any experiment that has live wires dipping into water,” he said. An Auckland school teacher who uses the book said it was an excellent text except for this one experiment. “A warning was given to schools by the Department of Education when the book was first brought into use, but no subsequent warnings have been given,” he said. “We can stop the experiment being done at school, but it might be attempted at home,” he said.