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Re: Kelvin Electrostatic Generator



What are you using for your indicator? Are you using a neon lamp? You
will need a spark gap (to allow the apparatus to serve as a capacitor) in
order to build up enough total charge that the dq/dt discharge through a
neon lamp is enough to be visible. It will still be discharging, but you
will not be able to see it.

You are right to precharge the apparatus, but a rubber rod and fur is
sufficient since your main purpose in the precharge is to preferrentially
select which side will be + and which will be -.

Watch for leakage from your wires being too close to the cans. Also make
sure you removed enough of the paint from the cans that your wiring makes
good connections. I assume you used 4 cans and cross-wired them.

Karl

____________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Karl I. Trappe Desk:(512)471-4152
Physics Dept-Mail Stop C1600 Office: (512) 471-5411
The University of Texas at Austin FAX: (512) 471-9637 (other building)
Austin, Texas 78712-1081 E-Mail:trappe@physics.utexas.edu
____________________________________________________________________________