NextPrevious

Electricity

Leyden Jars and Capacitors

How can you construct your own Leyden Jar?

You can use either a glass or plastic container that has a tight-fitting cap. Use a small nail to make a hole in the center of the cap. Straighten a paper clip and push it through the hole. Make sure the end of the clip reaches the bottom of the jar. Cover the outside of the jar with aluminum foil and fill the jar about 2/3 full of water. Make sure that the jar cap is dry. Now rub a plastic pen with wool and touch the pen to the paper clip. Repeat the rubbing and touching several times. Then touch the clip with your finger. You should feel a very tiny shock. The jar has stored the charge that you gave the pen when you rubbed it.



Close

This is a web preview of the "The Handy Physics Answer Book" app. Many features only work on your mobile device. If you like what you see, we hope you will consider buying. Get the App