electroscope

American  

[ih-lek-truh-skohp] / ɪˈlɛk trəˌskoʊp /

noun

1. a device for detecting the presence and determining the sign of electric charges by means of electrostatic attraction and repulsion, often between two pieces of gold leaf enclosed in a glass-walled chamber.

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electroscope British  

/ ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌskəʊp, ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈskɒpɪk /

noun

1. an apparatus for detecting an electric charge, typically consisting of a rod holding two gold foils that separate when a charge is applied

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Other Word Forms

• electroscopic adjective

Etymology

Origin of electroscope

First recorded in 1815–25; electro- + -scope

Example Sentences

In the second experiment the rod is only brought close to the electroscope but not in contact.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Specifically, what would the leaves of the electroscope do if other charged objects were brought near its knob?

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

If you have charged an electroscope by contact with a positively charged object, describe how you could use it to determine the charge of other objects.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

McKinley; Professor Auguste Piccard & aide ballooning into the stratosphere ten miles above Switzerland; Professor Erich Regener sending a free balloon with an electroscope 17� miles above Stuttgart.

From Time Magazine Archive

The gold leaf electroscope can be further used to indicate the kind of electricity on an excited body.

From Hawkins Electrical Guide, Number One Questions, Answers, & Illustrations, A Progressive Course of Study for Engineers, Electricians, Students and Those Desiring to acquire a Working Knowledge of Electricity and its Applications by Hawkins, Nehemiah