Rich Grise wrote:
> On Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:08:03 +0000, jasen wrote:
> > On 2007-01-15, Rich Grise <rich@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >>
> >> And just what _is_ the theory of operation of a Wimshurst?
> >
> > electrostatic induction and physical trans****tation of charge.
> Right, but I don't get what does the inducing?
http://www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/whyhow.html
Note that a small imbalance of charge is assumed to exist, and the
machine "amplifies" it.
If you still don't get it think in terms of image charges seen in
("induced in") a conductive plane by a nearby isolated charge.
Oh, and as for the 'Faraday Ice Pail Effect' read this:
http://www.newphys.se/fnysik/3_1/kelvin/index.html
Notice the similarities?
> Just the movement of the segments past the brushes?
Of course.
> Do they have to touch? I guess it wouldn't
> make much sense if they didn't, but in the Van Der Graaf description
> they invoke ionized air. Does a Van Der Graaf also work in a vacuum?
http://www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/myvdg.html
The brushes don't have to touch, and yes, a VDG can work absent air.
Why? Hint; the brushes have small radii of curvature WRT the surfaces
they are brought past.
Mark L. Fergerson
