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

However, while the rod is close, the electroscope is momentarily grounded and then the rod is removed.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

There, some are transferred to the positive rod by touch, leaving the electroscope with a net positive charge.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

When the second bag blew up, the remaining ones hovered practically stationary until a clockwork device released a red parachute and dropped a self-charging electroscope which had been recording cosmic ray intensity all the while.

From Time Magazine Archive

The leaves will diverge, even though the charged ebonite rod does not approach to within a foot of the electroscope.

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