Wimshurst Machine - Physics Demonstrations - Wimshurst Machine | Physics Undergraduate Labs

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The Wimshurst machine generates voltages up to 100 kV. While the current is very low (microamperes) and generally not dangerous, the shock can be surprising and painful. Keep students at a safe distance during operation. Do not touch discharge terminals while operating. Persons with pacemakers or other electronic medical devices should exercise additional caution.

Purpose

A hand-cranked electrostatic generator demonstrates charge separation, voltage buildup, and dielectric breakdown. Connecting the Leyden jars increases system capacitance, producing less frequent but dramatically more energetic sparks -- a vivid illustration of $U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2$ .

Wimshurst machine with two overlapping glass disks bearing metal sectors, two large Leyden jars, adjustable spherical discharge terminals, diagonal neutralizer bars, and hand crank on a wooden platform with turned legs

Figure 1:

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The Wimshurst machine generates voltages up to 100 kV. While the current is very low (microamperes) and generally not dangerous, the shock can be surprising and painful. Keep students at a safe distance during operation. Do not touch discharge terminals while operating. Persons with pacemakers or other electronic medical devices should exercise additional caution.

Safety Warnings

Danger: High Voltage Warning

Purpose