Re: dissectible capacitor

[brian whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 14:16 6/1/00 -0700, Leigh wrote:
> I have now performed experiments with parallel plates. ...
> I will suggest that the cookie tin experiment I described not be
> attempted by anyone. Today I managed to generate a potentially
> lethal charge using only a hand cranked Wimshurst machine. Other
> tricks were necessary, but these are best left undisclosed. I have
> discussed the ethics of this with three colleagues and they concur.
>
> Leigh


Leigh's cautionary note reminds me of a previous one in this thread
wherein it was mentioned that student-accessible high voltage power
supplies should have a strictly limited current capability.

 It is as well to mention that interposing plastic, wax, water or
glass dielectrics in charged capacitors provides the same potential
for disaster (sorry) as the U.Leyden students noticed some centuries
since, no matter how low the input current.



brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK