Film Canister Leyden Jar
Objective: Students will use their knowledge of capacitors, static electricity and the flow of charge to create a
Leyden Jar out of a film canister and assorted materials.
Materials:
Solid conductor wire about 4” long and one 9” long
Empty film canister with lid
Multistrand insulated wire
(2) Aluminum Foil 1 ½” x 4”
Awl or hole punch
Scotch tape
3/4” Bolt
(2) washers
(2) nuts
Making the Lid of the canister:
1. Punch a hole through the very center of the lid of the film canister using
the awl or hole punch.
2. Make sure at least one inch is stripped from the multistrand insulated wire
on one side and about half an inch on the other.
3. Thread one nut onto the bolt, wrap the shorter stripped end of the
multistrand wire around the bolt and then slide a washer on before putting
it through the hole in the film canister.
4. Slide on the washer on the underside of the film canister lid.
5. Make a small loop on one end of the 4” long conductor wire and slip onto
the bolt and secure with the last bolt.
6. Fan out the multistrand wire that is not attached to the bolt.
7. Your lid is now done and you can set it aside.
Making the Body of the canister:
1. Take one piece of foil, wrap around the outside of
the canister and secure with tape.
2. Take second piece of foil along the inside of the
canister and secure with tape.
3. In both circumstances be sure that the foil touches
the container all the way around the inside of the
canister.
4. Take the 9” long piece of conducting wire and
create the loop shown below.
Creating Static:
Rub fanned out wires of multistrand wire against Television or computer monitor; or rub PVC Pipe with wool
and touch PVC pipe to fanned out wires of multistrand wire. To discharge, touch the two pieces of wire
together. Be sure that it is discharged fully before you touch both wires!
Conclusion:
In two paragraphs explain clearly how your Leyden Jar holds static charge and what you would do to improve
its capacitance. Include how it gets it, where it goes and how it leaves. Be specific with your vocabulary and
explain fully what you mean.