5A50.10 - Wimshurst Generator

Code Number:
5A50.10
Demo Title:
Wimshurst Generator
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Electrostatics
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Wimshurst generator, Bell Chimes, Rotating Disk, Lucite Stand for Disk and Chimes.
Procedure:

The Wimshurst Generator and Leyden Jar storage system will work under all conditions.  The bell chimes and rotating disks will work with either the Van de Graff or the Wimshurst machine, although the Wimshurst is preferable because it does not make as much noise.

Video Credit: Daniel Reinart.

References:
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "The Central Scientific Company and Its Apparatus", TPT, Vol. 59, #2, Feb. 2021, p. 94.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Apparatus Named After Our Academic Ancestors — I ", TPT, Vol. 48, #9, Dec. 2010, p. 604. 
  • Walter Connolly, "The Automatic Electrophorus", TPT, Vol. 29, #4, Apr. 1991, p. 225. 
  • B. Huner, "An Alternate Brush Material for Electrostatic Generators", TPT, Vol. 26, #5, May 1988, p. 265.
  • H. N. Plenaar, "An Electrostatic Friction Machine", TPT, Vol. 3, #5, May 1965, p. 227.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., Wimshurst Machine, AJP, Vol. 80, #5, May 2012, p. 366.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., and Vacek Miglus, "Toy Wimshurst Machine", AJP, Vol. 80, #11, Nov. 2012, p. 984.
  • A. Aresti and A. Delunas, "Erratum: 'Two-Inductor Electrostatic Generator' [Am. J. Phys. 51, 472 (1983)]", AJP, Vol. 51, #9, Sep. 1983, p. 861.
  • A. Aresti and A. Delunas, "Two-Inductor Electrostatic Generator", AJP, Vol. 51, #5, May 1983, p. 472.
  • Markus Zahn, Richard L. Goslin, and Larry F. Wicks, "Self-Excited, Alternating, High-Voltage Generation Using a Modified Electrostatic Influence Machine", AJP, Vol. 42, #4, Apr. 1974, p. 289.
  • Freier and Anderson, "Ea-22", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • "E-180: Dielectric Breakdown - Spheres", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • Richard Manliffe Sutton, "E-26", Demonstration Experiments in Physics.
  • Robert A. Morse, "Laboratory Activity 10: The Automatic Electrophorus: An Induction Electrostatic Generator", Teaching about Electrostatics, p. 3 - 34.
  • George M. Hopkins, "Electrical Machines", Experimental Science, p. 369.
  • Julien Clinton Sprott, "4.1, Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator", Physics Demonstrations, ISBN 0-299-21580-6, p.175.
  • Joseph H. Adams, "A Wimshurst Influenced Machine", Harper's Electricity Book For Boys", p. 313.
  • "Make a Static Machine", The Boy Scientist, p. 62.
  • H. N. Pienaar,  "An Electrostatic Friction Machine",  Apparatus for Teaching Physics,  p. 61.
  • R.A. Ford, "Liquid, Gas, and Vacuum Chambers", Homemade Lightning, p. 69 - 70.
  • Urs Lauterburg, "Wimshurst Generator Renovation", PIRA News, Vol. 16, # 1, Fall 2001, p. 5.
  • James Wimshurst, "The Form of Influence-Machine", Proc. Phys. Soc. London, Vol. 12, 1892, p. 403.
  • Paul Noel, "Wimshurst Instruction Manuel", AAPT Summer Meeting 2019.
  • Prof. Robert Griffith, "A Simple Electric Machine", Boys' Useful Pastimes, p. 306.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.