Re: pedagogy versus obfuscation (was: Dissectable Capacitor)

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

At 08:48 AM 3/5/99 +1200, Clarence Bennett wrote:
> What is the Wimshust machine if not a bucket brigade of dissectable
capacitors?

That gets to my point exactly.  I think studying the Wimshurst machine is a
fine idea, much more sensible than studying the Cenco "capacitor" contraption.

* The Wimshurst machine doesn't pass itself off as a capacitor;  it calls
itself an electric generator, as it should.

* The Wimshurst machine doesn't amplify junk effects.  It is engineered to
amplify a particular type of charge separation, and to minimize junk effects.


I once took a circuit-analysis course from R. D. Middlebrook.  He taught us
the "principle of reasonability":  when looking at a circuit, don't imagine
it is a bunch of junk thrown together at random.  Even if it's not a
perfect design, somebody designed it for a reason, so think about the reason.

(Stage-magicians' tricks are designed to create confusion, so they are the
main exception to the principle of reasonability.)

The Wimshurst machine adheres to and illustrates the principle of
reasonability.  The Cenco contraption does not, so far as anybody has been
able to explain.

Cheers --- jsd