Re: Why does electrostatic attraction in water decrease?

["John S. Denker" <jsd@MONMOUTH.COM>]

Pentcho Valev wrote:
> Four hypotheses seem relevant:
>
> 1. Panofsky gives a wrong picture - the effect does not exist.
>
> 2. If we punch a hole in the plate, below the surface of the liquid inside the
> capacitor but above the surface of the liquid outside the capacitor, no liquid
> will leak out through the hole.
>
> 3. The liquid will leak out in violation of the first law.
>
> 4. The liquid will leak out in violation of the second law.

That's a good summary.

So why not do the experiment?  That ought to be
 a) easy, and
 b) the most effective way to settle the issue.

Suggestions:
 -- Use carefully deionized water, so conductivity doesn't
cause problems.
 -- Don't make the apparatus larger than it has to be.
 -- Put a resistor in series with the voltage source,
so no harm is done if there is breakdown (spark) in the
air above the liquid, or if somebody accidentally touches
something they shouldn't.
 -- Observe the height at a couple of different voltages.

BTW I still predict (2), i.e. electrostatic attraction with
no leakage.