Oil lamp

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/oil-lamp

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the historical dominance?The primary source of artificial light for over 4,000 years
2. What is the societal impact?Enabled extended work hours, facilitated knowledge dissemination, and supported cultural practices
3. Why did people use oil lamps for so long?Oil lamps let people stay awake and work or read after the sun went down. They were simple, reliable, and could be made from everyday materials like shells or pottery.
4. How does an oil lamp make light?The wick pulls oil up by capillary action. When the oil reaches the top, it burns and creates a bright flame that shines through the lamp.

Pyrolysis: The thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere or absence of oxygen.
Hydrocarbon Vapors: Gaseous forms of compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms, which are flammable.
Kerosene: A refined petroleum distillate used as a fuel, known for its clean-burning properties in lamps.