Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have a couple clarifying questions about the science behind my experiment. First off, what is happening between the two aluminum sheets? Secondly, why use a chain and not like a nail?

epiclouieman - The classic Leyden Jar is a very high voltage capacitor made up of two parallel, foil electrodes. The glass is the insulator, and the positive and negative charges on the two foil electrodes are attracted to each other through the glass insulator. Do some research on Capacitors and see how they are constructed with parallel electrodes separated by insulators. In modern electronic capacitors, the distance between these electrodes is quite small (very thin plastic film is often used as the insulator) and the voltage capability is quite low compared to the Leyden Jar, but the capability to store a large charge is quite high.

The 'chain' is often shown in classic Leyden Jar drawings as it is a very flexible connector to the inner foil. Any wire or nail that contacts the inner foil will act as a proper contact.

Rick Marz