Cenco Wimhurst Electrostatic Machine

Title

Cenco Wimhurst Electrostatic Machine

Subject

Static Electricity

Description

When the large center disk, made of non-conducting material with metallic strips attached, was turned using a hand crank, fixed metallic brushes rubbed against the metallic strips causing them to become charged. The charge was drawn off and collected in Leyden jars at lower left and right. Movable rods connected to the Leyden jars could be put to use in driving pieces of electrical demonstration equipment, like the Electric Whirl.

Source

Property of the W&L Physics & Engineering Department

Files

InstrumentsAtLeyburn_111611__112.jpg
Date Added
December 7, 2011
Tags
Citation
“Cenco Wimhurst Electrostatic Machine,” Antique Scientific Instruments at Washington and Lee University, accessed March 29, 2024, https://physicsapparatus.omeka.net/items/show/36.