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

Similarly, the electroscope can be negatively charged by contact with a negatively charged object.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

What is the net charge on the electroscope in the first experiment?

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Electrostatic repulsion in the leaves of the charged electroscope separates them.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

At the beginning of the present century Geitel of Germany, experimenting with a quartz-fibre electroscope, noticed that for no apparent reason the air in his instrument gradually became more electrified or ionized.

From Time Magazine Archive

Such a difference is what a gold-leaf electroscope indicates for its gold leaves and the walls surrounding the air-space in which they are suspended.

From Lord Kelvin An account of his scientific life and work by Gray, Andrew