Electrophore - definition
Electrophore - definition
An Electrophore is a classical electrostatic device used to generate and transfer an electrical charge at high potential. It consists of two main components: a dielectric base (usually made of an insulating material such as resin or ebonite) and a metal plate with an insulating handles. The operation of the electrophore is based on the phenomenon of electrostatic induction, which allows significant amounts of charge to be generated repeatedly without mechanical displacement.
In the process of use, the dielectric plate is charged by rubbing or contact with another electrified body. A metal disc is then applied to it, which becomes polarised under the influence of an electrostatic field: charges of the opposite sign are attracted to the surface in contact with dielectric, while charges of the same sign are pushed away. Instantaneous earthing of the metal plate allows the charge of the same sign to drain away, leaving only the opposite charge, which, when disconnected from earthing and the plate is lifted, can be transferred elsewhere.
The advantage of the electrophore is that, once the dielectric base has been charged once, it is possible to acquire an electrical charge repeatedly with each cycle of applying, grounding and disconnecting the metal plate. This device was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries in the study of electrostatics as a source of high voltage and as a teaching aid in illustrating basic electrostatic phenomena. Although it has been superseded in modern times by more advanced electrostatic generators such as Wimshurst machines and Van de Graaff generators, the electrophore remains an important example in the history of the development of the science of electricity.
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