electrophorus (redirected from genus Electrophorus)

electrophorus, device used to generate static electric charges. It has two parts: a nonconducting plate (e.g., of hard rubber) that is negatively charged and a metal plate with an insulated handle. A positive charge is induced on the metal plate by placing it on the charged plate and then grounding the metal plate momentarily. This positive charge can then be used for experimentation. See electrostatics.

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electrophorus [i‚lek′trä·fə·rəs]

(electricity)

A device used to produce electric charges; it consists of a hard-rubber disk, which is negatively charged by rubbing with fur, and a metal plate, held by an insulating handle, which is placed on the disk; the plate is then touched with a grounded conductor, so that negative charge is removed and the plate has net positive charge.