This is an instructable on how to make a Leyden Jar. A Leyden Jar is the first capacitor ever made in Leiden in 1746. The jar stores electric energy and can discharge this energy in a similar way as a battery.

WARNING:

Make sure there isn't too much energy stored in the jar, otherways it can be deadly. Don't experiment with a Leyden Jar is you have a pace maker or heart problems.

Supplies

The following materials are needed to make this Leyden Jar.

Jar
Aluminium foil
Duct tape
Iron pin
Wires
PVC tube
Woolen cloth

Step 1: Cover the Outside Surface of the Jar

Cover the oudside surface of the jar with aluminium foil. Make sure every part is covered, also the bottom of the jar. The foil can be secured with duct tape.

Step 2: Cover the Inside Surface of the Jar

Cover the inside of the jar with aluminium foil. Make sure there is foil on every part, also the bottom, and that it connects. The foil can be secured with aluminium foil.

Step 3: Connect Pin With Inner Surface

Put the iron pin into the jar, it can be suported with duct tape. Make sure that the pin connects with (only) the inner surface of the jar. An aluminium sphere is placed on top of the pin.

Step 4: Ground the Jar

In order to ground the jar, a wire is attached on the outside surface of the jar. The wire will be connected to a iron pin. This pin will make sure that the jar can be grounded.

Step 5: Add Wire to Discharge the Jar

A wire is added to the outside surface of the jar. This wire can be used to discharge the jar.

Step 6: Add Safety "pin"

A saferty "pin" made out of aluminium foil is added to the outside of the jar. This "pin" is placed 1 to 2 cm from the aluminium sphere, that is connected to the inner surface of the jar. The safety "pin" makes sure that the Leyden Jar can discharge itself.

Step 7: Charge PVC Tube

The PVC tube can be charged by rubbing the woolen cloth on in.

Step 8: Charge Leyden Jar

The Leyden Jar can be charged by rubbing the charged PVC tube near the aluminium sphere. A sizzled sound can be heard.

Step 9: Discharge Leyden Jar

The Leyden Jar can be discharged in two different ways. The first one is by connecting the wire on the outside surface with the aluminium sphere (connected to the inside surface). The second one is through the safety "pin". If the charged energy in the Leyden Jar is too much, it will automatically discharge.