How to Build a Leyden Jar Experiment
- 1). Tape the polystyrene foam cup to the center of the pie pan with the open top face down.
- 2). Place the polystyrene foam plate upside down and place the pie pan on top of the plate. Rub the pie pan against the plate to build up an electrical charge. Hold onto the cup for insulation against the light electrical charge in the pan.
- 3). Take the lid off the film can and gently push the nail through the canister, pointing upwards. Carefully supervise the students during this step to make sure they don't poke themselves or others with the nail.
- 4). Tape aluminum foil around the bottom of the film canister. Make sure to cover up at least two thirds of the bottom of the canister for this Leyden jar to be effective.
- 5). Run water into the film canister until it is nearly full. Close the lid, making sure the nail is touching the water.
- 6). Touch the nail in the film canister to the charged pie pan to transfer the electrical charges into your film canister. Hold the canister by the aluminum foil to avoid accidentally discharging the electrical charge into your hand.
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