Volta-Type Condensing Electroscope (early 1900s) |
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Gold leaf electroscope (ca. 10" high) for qualitative demonstrations of electrostatic phenomena. The body is glass, the circular base is mahogany, and the Volta plate (on top) and lead-in are brass. No insulator is necessary since the body is non-conductive. The two gold leaves are missing. The bottom of the glass jar is in contact with a circle of tin foil as are the two earthing strips that run half way up the jar on opposite side. This helps eliminate a build up of static charge on the glass that could affect the movement of the gold leaves. In general, an electrophorus would be used to transfer a charge to the horizontal disk (Volta plate) on the top. For an explanation of how an electroscope can be charged and how an electrophorus works, click here. The needle-like object attached to the top of the disk creates a corona discharge point. Its purpose is to demonstrate the phenomenon of a corona discharge (i.e., the leakage of charge from a point). It has a threaded end and can be affixed to the plate so that it is either pointing up or down. Manufactured by Griffin & Tatlock Ltd. of London, England. |
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