CHAPTER XI.
ELECTROSCOPES.

200. Electroscopes are instruments to show the presence, relative amount, or kind of electrification on a body. (See Apparatus Book, Chap. XVIII, for Home-Made Electroscopes.) The carbon electroscope has been described ([Exp. 58]). The pith-ball electroscope is made by using pith from elder, corn-stalk, or milk-weed, in place of the carbon. The gold-leaf electroscope is a very delicate instrument. The gold-leaf is supported, as suggested in [Fig. 57], at the lower end of a wire conductor which sticks through and hangs from the cork of a glass jar or flask. To the top end of the wire is soldered a ball or disk. The glass jar insulates the gold-leaf, and keeps it dry and free from dust.

Fig. 57.

201. Our Leaf Electroscope ([Fig. 57]) is made with aluminum-leaf. Gold-leaf is too delicate for unskilful handling, and aluminum will do for all ordinary experiments. To cut it into any desired shape, place it between two sheets of paper, then cut through paper and all.

202. Construction. Bend one leg of a hairpin, H P, as in [Fig. 57], and slide it onto I T. Hang a wire, W, or another hair pin straightened, then bent, from the horizontal leg of H P. This is to support the "leaves," L, which are made from a strip of aluminum-leaf about 4 in. long and ¾ in. wide. Moisten the under side of the horizontal part of W with paste or mucilage; press it upon the middle of the strip laid flat upon the table, and then lift W. The leaves should cling to W. Each leaf should be, then, 2 in. long. They should hang close together when not in use. A large chimney, or fruit-jar, may be used to surround the leaves, and to keep currents of air from them. The leaves should not touch the side of the jar when spread.

EXPERIMENT 93. To study the leaf electroscope; charging by conduction.

Apparatus. The leaf electroscope ([Fig. 57], [§ 201], [202]); ebonite rod, E R (No. 28); flannel cloth, F C (No. 30).

203. Directions. (A) Thoroughly charge E R, then scrape it along upon I T, noting the action of the leaves, L.

(B) See if the leaves will remain spread for some time.