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Activities

Oil in our Everyday Life

Objective:

To determine the difference in intensity and cleanliness of various light sources. Background Information: Oil provides the raw material to produce candles as well as kerosene. Candles have been widely used as a light source. Kerosene is the fuel that burns in kerosene lamps, which were the most common sources of light before electricity. Indeed, some of your grandparents studied their schoolbooks by the light from a kerosene lamp. These lamps are still in use today, especially during power failures. Exercises:
  1. Split the class up into teams and debate some of the positive and negative effects of the industrial revolution on people and the environment.
  2. (To be performed by Teacher in front of the class) In this exercise compare three sources of light; the candle, the kerosene lamp, and the electric lightbulb.
Materials: Kerosene lamp (with fuel)
Candle
Matches
Electric lamp

(Caution: Only kerosene fuel should be used in a kerosene lamp. Do not use camp fuel)
Procedure:
  1. Draw the curtains and darken the classroom. Light the candle. Observe the quality of the light. Is it bright or dull? Try to read something. Extinguish the candle.
  2. Light the kerosene lamp. Observe the quality of the light. Try to read in this light. Extinguish the lamp.
  3. Turn on the electric lamp. Compare the quality of the light with that of the candle and the kerosene lamp. Try to read in this light.
Questions | Expected Answers
   

    Last Modified: 2004-12-10