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Variable Capacitance Box

Physics

A wooden box with a bakelite top. On the bakelite there are 4 plastic covered terminals with “L” between the left two terminals and “G” between the right two terminals. Underneath the terminals is a dial with labels “1”, “.1″,”.01″,”.001″,”.0001″,”0″, and “INF.”. There is a plastic knob underneath the dial with the labels “Leeds & Northrup Co. Philadelphia”, “339259”, “MADE IN U.S.A.”. There is an inscribed label on the bottom left corner of the Bakelite top “1377”.

Accession Number: 2009.ph.64

Alternative Name:

Primary Materials: Wood, Metal, Plastic

Markings:

There is a plastic knob underneath the dial with the labels “Leeds & Northrup Co. Philadelphia”, “339259”, “MADE IN U.S.A.”. There is an inscribed label on the bottom left corner of the Bakelite top “1377”. At the top, it reads, “TOTAL RESISTANCE 10000Ω”

A piece of torn post-it note is taped directly to the front side of the object, on which is handwritten in red ink: “PHY1022 A”. This refers to the object’s entry in the 1978 catalogue.

Dimensions (cm):

Height = 14cm, length = 14.5, width 15cm

Function:

A variable capacitance box is a capacitor that allows you to change the amount of charge that can be stored.

Condition:

The edges and corners of the wood base are slightly worn. On the front, there is a deep puncture in the wood roughly a centimeter in length and a portion which is more worn than the surrounding area. On the bakelite top of the object, there is some white dotty discolouration, particularly on the right hand side of the surface. The metallic dials are blotchy with light and dark corrosion.

Associated Instruments:

Manufacturer:

Leeds & Northrup Co. Philadelphia

Date of Manufacture: c. 1920

Provenance:

University of Toronto Department of Physics

Additional Information and References:

Historical Notes:

Themes:

Flags:
  • Donated to UTSIC