Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published September 1, 1926 | public
Journal Article Open

The theory of Wimshurst's alternating static machine

Simon, A. W.

Abstract

The quantitative theory of Wimshurst's alternating static machine is developed in detail according to the general method previously given by the author for other static machines. The theory predicts that the potential of any element of the machine will reverse at definite intervals and at the same time increase in value. While the exact period of reversal depends on the capacities involved in the machine, the approximate period can be calculated and is found to be the time of one revolution rather than the time of three quarters of a revolution as observed by Wimshurst. An actual machine was constructed and the reversal observed by means of the glow in discharge tubes. It was found that such a machine does reverse every revolution rather than every three quarters of a revolution. The theory given can be extended to other machines of the same type with more than four inductors. The period of reversal of a six-inductor machine is calculated to be approximately the same as that of a four-inductor machine.

Additional Information

©1926 The American Physical Society. Received 18 June 1926.

Files

SIMpr26d.pdf
Files (784.0 kB)
Name Size Download all
md5:5dea1a5a2827415d7fb291517df7b795
784.0 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 21, 2023
Modified:
October 13, 2023