Leiden (Leyden) Jar Capacitor

The first capacitor was called a Leiden jar, or Leyden jar. It was accidentally discovered that a large amount of charge could be stored on a Leyden jar from the unexpected shock! I will show how I constructed my Leiden jar, charge the Leiden jar using a Van de Graaff generator, and demonstrate rapid discharging (dielectric breakdown) resulting in an intense spark.

[@aggiornamento4186]

Good explanation. You use very clear and precise terms to explain. This results in a easy to understand experiment. Thaks! It was useful to me!

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Thanks for the kind comments and you are welcome!

[@t.s.5668]

wow this was the most complete video so far I have found on this subject, thanks

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

You are welcome and thanks for your comment!

[@johnwynne-qx6br]

Thumbs 👍 very nice example of lydon jar and explanation

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Thanks!

[@richardchandler5183]

Really nice demo and explanation plus very interesting watching you make the Leydon Jar.

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@aditi2326]

Detailed explanation I really appreciate it

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

You are welcome!

[@davebacknolaliki1452]

I appreciate these videos. Very good explanation.

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

You are welcome and thank you.

[@itsbs]

Thanks. So Ben Franklin says the charge of the Leiden Jar (capacitor) is stored in the glass and does not require the electric field of the metal plates to remain in place. What do you think? Have you thought of building a dissectible Leiden Jar or a parallel plate capacitor with a removable dielectric to experiment with this idea?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

The dielectric does do more than just hold the two plates apart. It becomes polarized and affects how much energy is stored in the capacitor for a given voltage applied. Here are some videos where I discuss the polarization that goes on in the dielectrics. This one is an example I work in class of a parallel plate capacitor with two different dielectrics in parallel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZKcomhrha1jY9U This one is an example I work in class of a parallel plate capacitor with two different dielectrics in series. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZyXfKKaaN2UjNU

[@itsbs]

@@electricandmagneticfields2314 ** Thanks Michael. From your examples, you discuss the "charge density on the plate." This is exactly the concept that a dissectible capacitor refutes. If you take away the metal plates after charging the parallel plate capacitor, and then move the "charged dielectric" to a different set of metal plates, what happens? Would it discharge? Same with the Leiden Jar, if you had removable aluminum/copper and replaced it with different metal coatings (after the jar was charged), would it still discharge?

[@johndoe-bq1xt]

Hello Sir, I have a question. Of course, you know about the discharge time from a capacitor, or Tau = RxC. What Homemade Resistance can I attach to a Leiden Jar to slow the discharge time? Not Circuit Components.

[@marinvidovic763]

Please, Why coper tape outside... ??? ( Most of the capacitors are just * simple aliminium plates, ...( with Air in between or dielectric).

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Just so the two different "plates" could be visible.

[@marinvidovic763]

@@electricandmagneticfields2314 💡

[@RebeccaRodriguez-n8d]

Does the distance affect the capacitance of the Van de Graaff generator vs the Leyden jar? For example, because the charge has to travel through air to reach the receiving conductor in the VDG generator, does that affect the capacitance?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

It is like two capacitors in series. The connecting wire should not matter.

[@natesgarage]

Thanks for the explanation! Quick question if I may, why the selection of copper tape combined with aluminum tape? Would it have worked using copper on the inside and out?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Yes it would work with the same metal inside and out. I used the different metals so that the two conductors would be more visible.

[@VolumetricTerrain-hz7ci]

I like your video! Here's a youtube video I want to share with you and everyone! The title is : Continuous Electric Display (CED) In this video, I will do a short demonstration of a new analog display technology, made with static electricity.

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Thank you!

[@vireaknou8835]

How long can this Leyden jar store energy(hold the charge) if you don’t discharge it?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

A very long time. It depends on the leakage current through the glass insulator. I am guessing for years. That is why capacitors in electronics like old CRT TVs and microwaves can be dangerous.

[@keithtaylor6259]

If it were big enough would a leyden jar be able to power a 2 story house if SHTF and for how long ?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Yes you could store energy in capacitors just as you do in batteries. www.futurebridge.com/industry/perspectives-mobility/supercapacitors-a-viable-alternative-to-lithium-ion-battery-technology/

[@stanaoves3943]

Whats the Reason for the diferent types of metal Tapes? Wouldn't the aluminium one be enough just by it self?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

It would. I used the two different tapes so that the inner and outer conductions would be distinguishable in the video.

[@dmaster20ify]

@@electricandmagneticfields2314 But it is rather misleading. I had the same confusion.

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

@@dmaster20ify I should have mentioned why I used the two different metals in the video and that it was in material to the operation of the capacitor.

[@johndoe-bq1xt]

Sir, can you do a video about the math and physics of wimshurst machines?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

That is one I actually want to do. I started to build one a couple of years ago but it didn't work. I haven't had a chance to get back to it to figure it out. I will, but it might not be till next summer.

[@selkirkwildlife9426]

How did your Casio fare from the Van de Graaff sparks? :)

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

My watch? It survived, but I probably should have taken it off!

[@grzegorzfranciszek5878]

Good job bro👍

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Thanks again!

[@h7opolo]

so we never see electricity, we just see the after effects of it traveling through a gas.

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Yes

[@gioacchinomanduano3701]

Nice video, i have a question we have sparks even if the wire of exernal conductor is not connected to the jar

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Possibly if the external conductor can effectively act as a ground. But be careful because you might end up being the ground and get a very dangerous shock.

[@nenisrudani504]

Thank you thank you so much

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

You are most welcome!

[@HazemMohamed3148]

Can u please make a video on the CRT?

[@jakub3851]

What do you mean?

[@Resonanttheme]

Maybe of interest - a Leyden jar using a LDPE bottle and charged by rubbing a paper towel over a PVC tube making a thirty three centimeter spark. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX60iqNoZp2UY7M

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

Impressive!

[@jakub3851]

Here is a more intense video kzbin.info/www/bejne/eV7ElnqcjMZ6qsU

[@dmaster20ify]

Very poor explanation. Where is the water in the jar. I heard that the water stored the charge? What is storing the charge in your Leydon Jar? Why didn't you disconnect the Leydon Jar from the Van de Grauf machine? I can't reproduce the Leydon Jar experiment. It is beginning to sound phony. But I never was able to reproduce any scientific experiment. Not able to create a motor. Not able to create an electro magnet! What gives?

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

I have metal foil on the inside and outside of the jar where the charge is stored. I could have used water on the inside instead of the metal to act as one of the "plates." I don't see a need to have disconnected the Van de Graaff generator for what I was trying to demonstrate in the video..

[@dmaster20ify]

@@electricandmagneticfields2314 But the Van de Graaff machine could be the source of the electricity. I can't reproduce this Leydon stuff. I tried you foil paper inside and outside the jar. Plastic jar that the peanut butter comes in. I bored a hole in said cover and put a wire through it and taped it to the foil inside the jar. I taped the foil paper in and out of the jar. Corked the jar. I then attached a 3.8 volt charger to the wire for couple seconds. I then connect a wire to the two terminals of the Leydon Jar; nothing. I then connect the jar to 110 volts, nothing. I then connect 110 volt plug to each terminal of the jar, still nothing. Is it because I am black why I can't reproduce these experiments.

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

@@dmaster20ify I rarely get my demo projects to work the first time. Every time I do one it is a learning experience. You might actually have a capacitor. With a 3.8 V on the capacitor, you would not get a spark until the separation between a wire touching the inside and a wire touching the outside was less than 0.0001 cm apart. The dielectric breakdown strength of air is 30,000 V/cm. Connecting to 110 AC is dangerous, but since it is AC your capacitor can be anywhere between 0 and 110 volts across it. A simple device I have used to charge a Leyden jar so as to get a spark is the electrophorus kzbin.info/www/bejne/apyQq2iFaL2eaqM kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaLLmKWtaMd3o7c

[@dmaster20ify]

@@electricandmagneticfields2314 All I can say I appreciate your replies and explanation. I don't know what is electrophorus; and honestly and am no closer to figuring this out. This seems as complicated as getting a seed to grow.

[@electricandmagneticfields2314]

@@dmaster20ify I included a link to an electrophorus. It is a static charge generated. It is just a piece of plastic, something like silk to rub it to get charge on the plastic, and a plate of metal with an insulating handle. I have successfully charged capacitors to high voltage with this.