Museo Galileo
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Faraday's net
    • Setting:
      Room XIII
    • Inventor:
      Michael Faraday
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Date:
      first half 19th cent.
    • Materials:
      cotton, silk, brass, glass
    • Dimensions:
      total length 663 mm, ring diameter 135 mm
    • Inventory:
      387
    • Faraday's net (Inv. 387)

Cone-shaped cotton net with a silk thread at its point, attached to a glass handle. This arrangement was devised by Michael Faraday to demonstrate that the electrostatic charge resides on the outer surface of a conductor. The net was electrified and, by drawing it inside out with the silk thread, was shown still to be electrified only on its exterior surface. Provenance: Lorraine collections.