Electricity and magnetism ** 5A50.10 ** Electrostatics

Electrostatic machines

Wimshurst machine

WARNING: The Wimshurst can give you a nasty shock - discharge before handling.

Equipment:

Theory: The machine mechanizes the charging by contact process, allowing considerable charge to be built up by spinning the two wheels in opposite directions.

Description: Turning the crank causes the wheels to spin, building up opposite charges on the two balls. Nice bright sparks are easily created with this device.

Setup time: 5 minutes

References: (available in the demo room)