Softcover

ISBN 10: 0071373233 ISBN 13: 9780071373234

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education TAB, 2001

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.

From the Back Cover:

*****RAVE ONLINE REVIEW!...

"Wimshurst Machine and other wonderful information. This is a must-buy book for the electrical experimenter and science/physics educator. Very well-written with unusual and unexpected material. Beautifully illustrated. Great plans for Wimshurst machine to make 14 inch sparks! Kinetic gravity and countergravitation experiments/information and more!"

"Modern, detailed view of mysterious subject. This is an area of science that seems neglected, hidden in the back room of the 'mad scientist.' However, this book details both traditional and modern means of obtaining, using, measuring & studying aspects of static electricity... All in all, a very informative, even enjoyable read for anyone interested in high-voltage electrostatics."

"An indispensable guide to anyone interested in starting out in electrostatics. It gives a wonderful overview of the principles involved, and takes the reader on a thorough tour of how to go about building both sectorless-Wimshurst and Van de Graaff generators. A must-have for electrostatic enthusiasts."

Build a Wimshurst generator or modify your Van de Graaff for creative, hands-on experiments--explore the wide-open frontiers of electrostatics.

Enter the wide-open frontier of high-voltage electrostatics with this fascinating, experiment-filled guide. You'll discover how to make your own equipment, how electricity is used in healing, and the workings of many experiments in high potential physics! Starting with electrostatic basics, R.A. Ford's highly praised Homemade Lightning entertains, instructs, and challenges. It's the only comprehensive electrostatics book packed with useful projects for serious hobbyists, students, inventors, and experimenters!

LOADS OF FASCINATING EXPERIMENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

Perfect for beginning electrical experimentation or advancing an interest in electrostatics, Homemade Lightning takes you through electrostatic generator construction and operation to prepare you for a number of unusual projects. Inside, you'll find a complete description of several types of generators, including the Wimshurst and Van de Graaff, plus specific details for experiments with
* Electroscopes
* Electrohorticulture
* Electroaerodynamics
* High-voltage capacitators
* Countergravitation
* Cold light
* Electric tornadoes
* And more

FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE

Featuring beautiful illustrations from turn-of-the-century science journals of Victorian-era electrostatic generator designs, Homemade Lightning provides hard-to-find information on electrical anomalies--the key to the future of electrostatic research. This is a book that everyone interested in the mystery and power of lighting will treasure.

About the Author:

R.A. Ford is an electrical experimenter and inventor specializing in turn-of-the-century electrostatic devices. An avid researcher, he developed his own electrostatic generator, which is detailed in the book. Ford also has served as a technical consultant to manufacturers of Wimshurst and Van de Graaff generators. For many years, he has devoted himself to introducing students of all ages to the science and history of electricity. For the past five years, he has worked to develop high voltage equipment for use in high school science fair projects as well as in physics labs and lectures.