In reply to [email protected]'s message of Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:30:30 -0500 (EST): Hi, [snip] > > > > > >Subject: check out this 10,000 volt single cell battery near end of lecture > > >I see it but I still don't believe it. > > > > >http://academicearth.org/lectures/batteries-emf-energy-conservation-kirchoffs-rules
The water picks up a static charge as it travels through a hollow can, and transfers it to the bucket. Because of the crossed wires, the charge on the bucket increases the charge on the opposite hollow can. IOW the two streams end up carrying opposite charges and reinforcing the charge carried by the other stream. This continues until the voltage is high enough to cause a spark. Nature uses a similar method to create lightning. (Falling charged raindrops carry charge from cloud to ground until the voltage is so high that a lightning strike shorts out the stored potential.) Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html
