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Thus we see why it is that electricity accumulates at the ends of cylindrical conductors, and at the edges of flat plates. Precisely similar considerations afford an explanation of the action of points, in facilitating the escape of electricity from a charged conductor. In proportion as the point is sharper, and consequently has a smaller surface, the electricity upon it must have a greater density, to enable it to keep that upon the rest of the conductor in equilibrium. Hence, the density of the charge at the extremity of a sharp point will have become great enough to cause it to escape through the air, or other nonconducting medium which surrounds it, when the density of the electricity upon other parts of the conductor is very much smaller. ] 93 Attractions and repulsions of electrified bodies. prev next |