Condenser

(-děn'sür.) [Same der iv.] (Chem.) A pneumatic machine by which a volume of air may be reduced into a much smaller space. It is like an air pump, except that the valves are reversed, opening inwards, instead of outwards; and is used to force a large quantity of air into a given space.-(Mach.) That part of a steam-engine to which the steam pa es from the cylinder, and where it is reduced to the liquid state by cold water. (Electricity.) An apparatus for condensing a large quantity of electricity on a comparatively small surface. The form may vary considerably, but in all cases it consists e entially of two insulated conductors separated by a non-conductor, and the working depends on the action of induction. Epinus's C. consists of two circular bra plates, A and B (Fig. 201), with a sheet of gla , C, between them. The plates, each provided with a pith-ball pendulum, are mounted on insulating gla legs, and can be moved along a support, and fixed in any position. Let us suppose A to be conC B A Fig. 201.- EPINUS'S CONDENSER. nected with the prime conductor of an electric machine, andB with the earth. Now, let a charge of positive electricity be communicated to A. Inductive action takes place between the plates, and negative electricity is induced and made latent, bound, or dis simulated, as it is called, upon B. This, in its turn, makes latent a certain proportion of the electricity upon A. It is evident, therefore, that, on account of this inductive action, a Conduplicate, much larger quantity of electricity can be put upon the plate A when B is present, than when it is not. The extent to which the " di imulation " by means of induction takes place depends upon the nearne of the plates, and upon the specific inductive capacity of the material between them. Condyle, [s. 215] IMG:p0244_0.jpg:Gravür IMG:p0244_1.jpg:Gravür