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where there is charge, there can be sparks
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators
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Sonic
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:40 pm
- Occupation: student
- Project Question: how long does a leyden jar hold a charge
- Project Due Date: March 14
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
where there is charge, there can be sparks
I am trying to do the "Where there is charge, there can be sparks" experiment. I am having trouble getting the leyden jar charged. Sometimes it will charge, but not consistently. Then when I try to measure the charge, I haven't been able to get a spark until the nail is at zero distance from the aluminum cover. Also, the nails I am using rust very quickly. Once I had the Leyden jar charged, but it shocked me before I could get it hooked up to the wire. Thanks for your help.
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deleted-93346
- Former Expert
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2011 8:33 am
- Occupation: Astronomer, Professor of Physics, SETI Researcher (retired)
- Project Question: n/a
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: where there is charge, there can be sparks
This is going to be tough to debug by email -- I can't look over your shoulder. It might help if you can get someone, a parent perhps, to read the procedure carefully, and have them look over your shoulder while you do the experiment. I have often found that while I am showing someone else a set-up that doesn't work and explaining it to them, I suddenly realize what the problem is. It can be a little embarrassing 
but it often works. One thing to try, use a new nail and clean it with some steel wool to take of any oily residue that may be on it, then dry it carefully. Be super sure that the nail is in the water when the jar is on its side.
Another thing, static electricity experiments often don't work well if it's damp. If you live in the colder parts of our nation, that won't be a problem since heating the room air dries it out. If you live in a warmer, wetter region, and are working in an unheated area like a garage, then you might have a problem holding charge. Same deal if you have damp hands.
Sorry I can't do better. I'll see if I can locate someone with more expertise in this particular project. All I can say is hang in there, experimentation is really, really hard, but I've seen lots of cases in our forums where perseverance has paid of in the end.
Good luck!
but it often works. One thing to try, use a new nail and clean it with some steel wool to take of any oily residue that may be on it, then dry it carefully. Be super sure that the nail is in the water when the jar is on its side. Another thing, static electricity experiments often don't work well if it's damp. If you live in the colder parts of our nation, that won't be a problem since heating the room air dries it out. If you live in a warmer, wetter region, and are working in an unheated area like a garage, then you might have a problem holding charge. Same deal if you have damp hands.
Sorry I can't do better. I'll see if I can locate someone with more expertise in this particular project. All I can say is hang in there, experimentation is really, really hard, but I've seen lots of cases in our forums where perseverance has paid of in the end.
Good luck!