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 /

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

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Etymology

Origin of electroscope

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electroscope

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

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

Figure 18.12 An electroscope is a favorite instrument in physics demonstrations and student laboratories.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

Photons at five hundred million volts make just as big a splash in an electroscope as might electrons many times stronger.

From Time Magazine Archive

The leaves of the electroscope will diverge with positive electricity.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

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