ELECTRIC GENERATORS. 



ITS MODE OF ACTION. The plate being re^piy/ed'iil? - y 

 the direction of the arrow, electricity is gener5tf5^% 

 the friction of the rubbers; the charged surface of the 

 glass passing directly into the silk cover, which prevents 

 loss of charge from contact with the air. 



O 



If the charge on the glass is positive, when the 

 charged surface comes opposite the combs, electricity 

 passes through them from the plate to the prime con- 

 ductor, where it accumulates. The glass, being thus 

 discharged, passes round again to the rubbers, which, 

 having become negative from parting with electricity 

 to the glass, have received electricity from the earth 

 through the chain. 



Each portion of the plate is thus alternately charged 

 and discharged, as it passes first to the rubbers, and 

 then to the combs; the lower half being constantly 

 positive, and the upper half at zero, except the resid- 

 ual ; electricity passing to the rubbers from the earth, 

 and being carried round by the plate to the prime 

 conductor. 



If the charge on the plate is negative, the transfer 

 takes place in reverse order ; electricity passing from 

 the prime conductor to the plate, from the plate to the 

 rubbers, and from the rubbers to the earth; the prime 

 conductor becoming negative and the rubbers positive. 



If the prime conductor be placed in connection with 

 the earth, by having the chain transferred to it, the 

 charge, whether positive or negative, will take place on 

 the ball and other parts connected with the rubbers. 



If the prime conductor and rubber be connected by 

 the chain, no charge can occur on either; since elec- 

 tricity constantly passes from one to the other through 

 the chain, as it is generated. 



