Electrostatic Motor



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 Code Number :   5A50.52

Disclaimer:

Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website.

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Condition :   Good  
Principle :   Electrostatics    
Area of Study :  Electricity & Magnetism  
Equipment :   Electrostatic motor, Van de Graff generator, Whimshurst generator.

Procedure :   Connect one pole of the motor to the base of the Van de Graff and the other pole to the dome.  Turn on the Van de Graff and the motor should start to spin.  If the field grows to large and the Van de Graff sparks the motor will start to slow down.  To get around this use the grounding rod to limit the size of the Van de Graff field.

Instead of the Van de Graff the Whimshurst may be used for better control of the electric potential, thus giving less arcing.

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   Web Sites

 

"Chapter 2: Electromagnetism: A High Voltage Motor in 5 minutes."                www.scitoys.com

"Chapter 2: Electromagnetism: A Rotary High Voltage Motor."                       www.scitoys.com

 

   References

Paul Chagnon, "Animated Displays VI: Electrostatic Motors and Water Dropper", TPT, Vol. 34, # 8, Nov. 1996, p. 491.

Oleg Jefimenko and David K. Walker, " Electrostatic Motors", TPT, Vol. 9, # 3, March 1971, p. 121.

 

Guido G. Pegna, "A Simple "Electrostatic" Motor", AJP, Vol. 45, # 2, Feb. 1977, p. 218.

 

C. L. Stong,  "Electrostatic Motors Are Powered By Electric Field of the Earth,"  The Amateur Scientist,  (October, 1974).



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille