The Jumping Electrostatic Top

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Scientific Paper
Title The Jumping Electrostatic Top
Author(s) Richard A Ford
Keywords experiment, high voltage, jumping electrostatic top, Wimshurst generator
Published 1992
Journal Electric Spacecraft Journal
Number 5
Pages 26-30

Abstract

In trying to reproduce the jumping electrostatic top phenomenon, Mr. Ford details his experiments using a homemade sectorless Wimshurst generator of his design. He and his research associate John Richter discovered that small discs supported by a single point were the most effective. The question of why the top suddenly jumps up is left unresolved.