LEYDEN JARS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL - ENERGY STORED IN A CAPACITOR

EQUIPMENT
    Wimshurst Machine
    3 Leyden Jars
    2 Zn Metal Plates (for parallel)
    3 wooden holders with Zn plates on first and third
    Insulated Stand
    Grounding Device



NARRATIVE
    In Parallel
            Place the 3 Leyden jars on a metal plate on an insulated stool. Connect the bottom metal plate to one electrode of the Wimshurst machine. Place the second plate on top of the 3 Leyden jars and connect the top plate to the other electrode of the Wimshurst machine. When the Wimshurst machine is cranked, it will produce a larger spark, with a louder snap than the Series set up (see below) but it takes longer to produce. Make sure to ground all Leyden jars before the components are handled.

    In Series
            Place the three Zn metal strips, parallel to each other, on the insulated stand making sure that they do not touch each other. Place one Leyden jar on each of the Zn strips, making sure that they do not touch another each other. Connect one of the electrodes of the Wimshurst machine to the top electrode of one of the Leyden jars. Then connect the strip that the Leyden jar in on to the electrode of the next jar. Next connect the strip that the second jar is on to the electrode of the third jar. Finally connect the strip that the third jar is on the other electrode of the Wimshurst machine.When the Wimshurst machine is cranked, it will produce a smaller spark and snap than when connected in Parallel (see above) but does not take as long to produce. Make sure that you ground the entire circuit before handling the components.

Does not do well in high humidity.