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Physics Research Project The War of the Currents

In the late 1800’s a confrontation developed by supporters of and , as to which method of electric was best. The prize for winning this conflict was the establishment of the electrical system of the United States (and subsequently the money associated with it). Your goal during this project is to discover who the major players on each side were, who won eventually, and why they won. The resources that you used are to be listed in each section in which they were used. You will type your responses according to the outline below.

PART ONE: The Players In a short paragraph, give a biography of the following people. Include birth date, place of birth, significant educational background, marital and familial history, death date and place of death. In a second paragraph, give a brief description of their role in the War of the Currents as well as any electrical inventions they developed. Lastly include a picture of the person.

1. Nikola 2.

3. 4. J. P. Morgan

PART TWO: Direct Current In a short paragraph, describe how direct current works. Include its advantages and its disadvantages when compared to alternating current.

PART THREE: Alternating Current In a short paragraph, describe how alternating current works. Include its advantages and its disadvantages when compared to direct current.

PART FOUR: Specific Questions 1. Which system was the first to be in operation? 2. Where was this system built? 3. When was this system turned on? 4. What was significant about the Columbian Exposition in terms of the War of the Currents? 5. What was the role of William Kemmler in the War of the Currents? 6. How did enter into the War of the Currents?

PART FIVE: Presentation 1. Project must be submitted typed and appearance neat. 2. Content must be free of spelling and grammatical errors.

PART SIX: Extra Credit 1. What did Thomas Edison do after the War of the Currents was over? 2. What became of Thomas Edison’s electric company? 3. What was ’s lifelong obsession? 4. What was the “Philadelphia Experiment” and how was Nikola Tesla involved in it?

The War of the Currents Grading Sheet (60 pts)

PART ONE: The Players

Nikola Tesla Birthdate _____ Birth place _____ Education _____

Marital _____ Death Date _____ Death Place _____

Role explained (x2) _____ Picture _____ Thomas Edison Birthdate _____ Birth place _____ Education _____

Marital _____ Death Date _____ Death Place _____

Role explained _____ Picture _____ George Westinghouse Birthdate _____ Birth place _____ Education _____

Marital _____ Death Date _____ Death Place _____

Role explained (x2) _____ Picture _____ J. P. Morgan Birthdate _____ Birth place _____ Education _____

Marital _____ Death Date _____ Death Place _____

Role explained (x2) _____ Picture _____

PART TWO: Direct Current

Description (x2) _____ Advantages _____ Disadvantages _____

PART THREE: Alternating Current

Description (x2) _____ Advantages _____ Disadvantages _____

PART FOUR: Specific Questions

1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____

PART FIVE: Presentation (X 5)

1. Typed/Neat (x5) _____ 2. Spelling/Grammar (x5) _____

PART SIX: Extra Credit

1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____