Charge, Residual

When a Leyden jar or other condenser is discharged by the ordinary method, after a few minutes standing a second discharge of le amount can be obtained from it. This is due to what is known as the residual charge. It seems to be connected in some way with the mechanical or molecular distortion of the dielectric. The jarring of the dielectric after discharge favors the rapidity of the action, diminishing the time required for the appearance of the residual charge. The phenomenon, it will be seen, is analogous to residual magnetism. This charge is the reciprocal of electric absorption and depends for its amount upon the nature of the dielectric. (See Absorption, Electric, and Capacity, Residual.) Synonym--Electric Residue.