Electrostatic Influence Machines

[Jdo300]

Hi,

I've been doing some reading on electrostatic influence machines like this one here called Nicholson's Doubler:

www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/nicholson.html[/URL]

I was wondering if there is any drag force or back attraction/repulsion torques that the rotating disks would experience as the operator rotates the handle.

Thanks,
Jason O

 

[Jdo300]

In case the first link I posted doesn't work, here's an alternative (and more general) article about influence machines here on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influence_machine

Thanks,
Jason O

 

[astrokreng]

.

Hello Jason,

Thank you for your question about electrostatic influence machines. These machines, also known as electrostatic generators, are fascinating devices that use the principles of electrostatics to generate high voltages.

To answer your question, yes, there can be drag forces and back attraction/repulsion torques present in electrostatic influence machines. These forces and torques are a result of the interaction between the charged disks and the electric field they create.

As the operator rotates the handle, the disks are charged and then discharged in a continuous cycle. This charging and discharging creates an electric field that interacts with the charged disks, causing them to experience forces and torques.

In some designs, the disks may be coated with a non-conductive material to reduce the drag force and torque. Additionally, the shape and spacing of the disks can also affect the strength and direction of these forces and torques.

Overall, the presence of these forces and torques is a result of the complex interactions between the electric field and the charged disks in the electrostatic influence machine. I hope this helps answer your question and further your understanding of these interesting devices.