Wimshurst Machine

Introduction:

Do you know what is an electrical machine?

An electrical machine is an apparatus that converts energy in three categories: generators which convert mechanical energy to mechanical energy, motors which convert electrical energy to mechanical energy, and transformers which changes the voltage level of alternating current. In this project I will be talking about generators that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A good example is the Van de Graph Machine whose major purpose is to create a electrical field. Yes, it will shock anything that gets close and makes your hair stand up on your head!

Have you heard about the Wimshurst Machine?

Let me tell you that is basically the same thing as the Van de Graph Generator, due to the reason that it deliver the same shocking results, it just has differe

nt technique.

Driving Question:

The driving question of my PBL (Project Based Learning) is "How does the Wimshurst Machine produce a charge?"

A Wimshurst Machine works using its three major components, collecting combs, neutralizing rods, and rotating parallel plates. Metallic foil sectors are spaced along the outer edge of the plates, and they help to get rid of the excess energy on the plates. The collecting combs, made of tinsel thread, help to remove the charges that accumulate on the sectors. The Wimshurst Machine does not depend on friction to make a charge and works induction. Negative and positive charges are created across the plate and are conducted away by the collecting bombs.

Materials: The only materials that are required for this project is the Wimshurst Machine. The machine plays a very important role due to the reason that is very helpful and it also helps the audience to understand the coneection between positive and negative charges.

Procedure: The steps for this project are really easy and fast. The first step is to put the Wishurst Machine in a farm and flat surface. The second step si to separate the spark bars so a charge can be build throughout the leyden jars. The last step is to start turning the wheels, until you make a charge and provoke a spark!

Scientific Principle:

There is no big difference between the Van de Graph and the Wimshurst Machine. We know that both of these machines are based on friction and induction. Induction is when a difference charge is created by moving a charged object near a neutral one. A positively charged can push positive charges in the neutral object away, due to the reason that postive repels negative. This is a similar as to how the Wimshurst Machine charges the Leyden Jars.