Electrostatics: Exploring, Controlling, and Using Static Electricity

For those with a curiosity for the phenomena of static electricity, this sought-after classic remains the layperson's guide and introduction to electrostatics. Originally published as part of MIT's Science Study Series, it can be enjoyed and easily understood by anyone from high schooler searching for a science fair project to an industry professional.

This volume takes the mystery out of electrostatics with clear, concise explanations of the theory behind the spark. It is especially prized for its numerous demonstrations of electrostatic phenomena, some of which have never been fully explained.

After the initial publication of this book, A. D. continued working on his Dirods and demonstrations to simplify their construction and make them accessible to everyone. Now, for the first time, part 2 of this second edition includes his Dirod Manual and documents these hints and techniques.

The late A. D. Moore spent his years after retirement from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, lecturing and to demonstrating his "Electrostatic Zoo" to high school and college classes throughout the U. S., Canada, and Europe. This second edition of the book represents the first opportunity to read all of A. D.'s refreshing and creative approach to electrostatic experimentation. The master of the demonstration has influenced countless inventors and science teachers-you will also be energized to step into the lab and generate your own sparks.

Reviews of the Book

Electrostatics is more than a book about static electricity. It is the reader's opportunity to learn from A. D. Moore (1895-1989), the author and unquestioned authority on static electricity, as he recounts his lifetime of experimentation and invention. The book is written in an exceptionally clear and direct prose that is so conversational that the reader might think he or she is actually hearing the author talk about the history of the exploration of static electricity, the discoveries leading to its harnessing, and the applications to which it has been put. Moore's explanations of atomic structure, electrical fields, capacitance, coulomb forces, and so forth are so simple that they are easily understood at the high school level. This book is so full of information that it will also serve college students well. Examples and historical anecdotes reinforce factual information. Teach ers can profit from studying Moore's style of presentation. The first section of the book focuses on the theory of static electricity and the evolution of the theoretical principles. Proper attention is given to earlier contributors such as Franklin, Faraday, Kelvin, Maxwell, and Van de Graaf. The second section of the book explains how to construct one's own electrostatic generator. The explanations are clear and precise with easy-to-follow diagrams and a list of materials. Any teacher who wants an electrostatic generator can easily construct one as a class project. The third section of this book is a series of 25 demonstrations of electrostatic properties and phenomena that can be used in classrooms or as the basis for science fair projects. The demonstrations represent a broad spectrum of sophistication-from the repulsion of two Styrofoam cups to the "pizza pan perpetual motion" experiment. Demonstrations, however are not limited to this section of t book. Soap bubbles, candle flam' kitchen-made capacitors, and smo precipitation are but a few of t demonstrations throughout the boc The book was first written 1968, but to the credit of the autk it has a freshness that makes it instructive and highly interest) book for today. It is a good additi to the school or classroom library. Noojin Waalker, The Science Teacher Magazine, Dec. '98.

"Moore has captured the broad field of electrostatics and its applications...to evoke near universal reader appeal. Designed primarily for the young student or layman, it should be a rich source of diversion and inspiration to the engineer, scientist, and experimenter. He presents the material in a thoroughly fascinating, understandable, accurate way without resorting to distracting mathematical proof...Highly recommended for specialists, informed readers, and the young adult." Library Journal

"A.D. Moore, a pioneer in electrostatic generation, obviously had a passion for designing and building machines that generate high voltages through theuse of electrostatics. His conversational approach to describing theoperation of electrostatic machines makes for an enjoyable, easy to read book. At first glance, you might think this book is too simplistic for use in an industrial or university laboratory. But surprisingly, there are plenty of very practical and insightful techniques for measuring and understanding high voltage and electrostatic charge. This book would be useful for an experimentalist or hobbyist interested in designing, building, and experimenting with electrostatic generators. Some of the topics covered include: fundamentals of electrostatic charging, building induction generators, constructing high voltage capacitors, building the dirod generator, techniques for reducing corona, measuring high voltage using neon lamps and sphere gaps, and generating electric wind. Safety is stressed through out the book." IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine

"What a joy it was to find A.D. Moore in print again after all these years...it remains one of my favorites. I look forward to introducing my young son to the pleasures of 80 KV dirod generators. What a wonderful job, to be able to bring this information to new generations!" Scott Miller, Senior Research Scientist, Battelle Memorial Inst.