Problem 63

Pieter van Musschenbroek invented the first capacitor, the leyden jar. It has a brass rod coming out of the top of an outer metal part. There is wood coating through which the brass goes through. The metal coating and wood keep the applied charge at equilibrium and do not allow it to be discharged. James Wimshurst invented the Wimshurst machine which creates strong electric charges. It has two insulated disks in the center of the machine which drive it, and as they rotate a strong charge is produced.