Re: [Phys-l] Electrostatic demonstrations

[Ludwik Kowalski <kowalskil@mail.montclair.edu>]

Thanks, Bernard.
Yes, the reason is usually a conductive layer on a dielectric and hot 
presence on neutral particles of water in air.

Ludwik Kowalski
Let the perfect not be the enemy of the good.

On Jul 27, 2006, at 10:55 PM, Bernard Cleyet wrote:

> Probably Desaguliers * [1683=> 1744].   However, Wm. Watson
> [1715=>1787],  "... explained more clearly than Desaguliers had done,
> that atmospheric moisture destroyed electricity  by conduction *."
>
> * I couldn't find the reference, only the quote above.
>
> ** "The leak derives primarily through surface conductivity promoted by
> the moisture, not from loss to the air, a point not understood until 
> the
> end of the 19th century.  Ref: "Conduction of Electricity through
> Gasses  I",  the Thomsons,  Cambridge 1928.   Quoted:  Electricity in
> the 17th and 18th Centuries,  Heilbron, J. L. UC Press (1979)
>
> bc, collector of miscellany.
>
> Ludwik Kowalski wrote:
>
> > When was the the effect of humidity recognized as a factor influencing
> > electrostatic demonstrations? I suspect that Ben Franklin was already
> > familiar with the effect of humidity. But I am not sure. Who was the
> > first to write about this?