Experiment Eb-03
Electric Wind
Description: A
pointed electrode and a plane electrode are connected across the terminals of
a Wimshurst machine. When a candle is placed between the electrodes, the flame
is blown away from the point and toward the plane. Fast moving ions produced
in the corona discharge from the point drag air molecules along and create an
electric wind, which blows the flame. Since the luminous portion of the flame
has a net positive charge, the demonstration works best if the point is positive.
Far
left: plane electrode; middle: candle; far right: pointed electrode.
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
Be sure to discharge Wimshurst Machine before touching any metal components of it.
Materials: pointed
electrode, plane electrode, candle, lighter, Wimshurst machine
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Thursday August 21, 2008 7:52 AM
