The Standard Electrical Dictionary

1. Volta's Fundamental Experiment

   The moistened finger is placed on the upper plate of a condensing or electrophorous electroscope. The other hand holds a plate of zinc z, soldered to a plate of copper c. The lower plate is touched with the copper. On removing the cover the gold leaves l diverge and with negative electricity. Hence zinc is supposed to be positively electrified when in contact with copper. The experiment is used to demonstrate the contact theory of electricity.