ELECTROMETER

(Gr. TjAacr/iov, and ptrpov, a measure.) An instrument for ascertaining the presence and Intensity of electric excitation. The simplest form of electrometer consists of two t -^—,.^ very pended small from pith a small balls con-sus- IJ] '/At duct or by very fine wire or -/*L thread; upon the principle 'Hi> that bodies similarly electrified repel each other, these diverge upon the reception of very minute quantities of electricity. Two thin slips of gold leaf are also similarly applied; and, to prevent the influence of the agitation of the air upon them, they are suspended in any convenient way uudera gla shade. The other forms of electrometers generally act upon the same principle, being respectively adjusted to the varving degrees of quantily and intensity [s. 406]