Homemade Lightning: Creative Experiments in Electricity - Softcover

Ford, R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0070215286 ISBN 13: 9780070215283

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education TAB, 1996

Synopsis

This text on electrostatics for the hobbyist, inventor or experimenter provides information on electrical anomalies, which represent the frontier of electrostatic research. It covers theory, as well as experiments with electrohorticulture, gravitation and electricity, cold light, and electric tornadoes. This edition includes information on electrostatic generators, and complete instructions for building various types, including Wimshurst and Van de Graaf generators.

About this title

Review:

From January/February 2003 issue

Hands-on high-voltage experimentalists interested in electrostatic machines will love this book. Filled with design plans for building electrostatic generators and various high-voltage components, this book provides the necessary details to construct these devices. Like the first two editions, there are detailed plans describing the construction of a Wimhurst machine. This edition however, details a more simplified but larger and improved version than previously described. There is also now an entire chapter devoted to Van de Graff generators describing the principles of operation, construction, modifications for improvement, and making accessories. There are many illustrations and photos describing the construction of these generators as well as methods for making electroscopes, large capacitors, and an electrophorus. There are many tips and tricks revealed that show how to make various parts like high-voltage corona spheres, shorting rods, and terminals. Other topics include electrostatic motors, cold light, levitation, exploding wire experiments, and historical notes on unusual electric discharges. A revised bibliography and materials supplier list also made in this new edition.

Anyone with an interest in high-voltage electrostatics will find this book to be not only a "cookbook" for designing and building high-voltage generators but also an historical account of the Wimhurst and Van de Graff generators.

From January/February 2003 issue. .

Hands-on high-voltage experimentalists interested in electrostatic machines will love this book. Filled with design plans for building electrostatic generators and various high-voltage components, this book provides the necessary details to construct these devices. Like the first two editions, there are detailed plans describing the construction of a Wimhurst machine. This edition however, details a more simplified but larger and improved version than previously described. There is also now an entire chapter devoted to Van de Graff generators describing the principles of operation, construction, modifications for improvement, and making accessories. There are many illustrations and photos describing the construction of these generators as well as methods for making electroscopes, large capacitors, and an electrophorus. There are many tips and tricks revealed that show how to make various parts like high-voltage corona spheres, shorting rods, and terminals. Other topics include electrostatic motors, cold light, levitation, exploding wire experiments, and historical notes on unusual electric discharges. A revised bibliography and materials supplier list also made in this new edition.. .

Anyone with an interest in high-voltage electrostatics will find this book to be not only a "cookbook" for designing and building high-voltage generators but also an historical account of the Wimhurst and Van de Graff generators.

Book Description:

One of the best books on electrostatics for the hobbyists, inventor, or experimenter is updated and expanded to include newly uncovered information on electrostatic generators and complete instructions for building various types, including Wimshurst and Van de Graaff generators. Throughout the book, the author provides hard-to-find information on electrical anomalies, which represent the frontier of electrostatic research.

Covering theory and presenting electroscope and other construction projects and experiments, this handbook also includes experiments with electrohorticulture, gravitation and electricity, cold light, and electric tornadoes. Homemade Lightning is both an excellent first book for the building electrical experimenter and a superb book for accomplished experimenters who haven't spent much time with electrostatics.

About this edition

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education TAB
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0070215286
• ISBN 13: 9780070215283
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 256