How can the Wimshurst machine generate a very HIGH voltage?

[Twukwuw]

It is so surprising that athe Wimshurst machine can generate up tp 1,000,000 voltage with the size of 50 cm!

As I know, in order to generate such a high voltage on its 2 terminals, there must be a very large quantity of charges being "collected and stored" in the Leyden Jars.

Am I right?

If this is true, where are the charges from?
The aluminium foils?
or the "neutralizing brushes?"

Thanks!

Twukwuw.

 

[Farsight]

Voltage is akin to water pressure. Current is akin to water flow. But instead of water we're talking about "charge". And charge is actually quite a slippery thing to get a grasp of. In one respect all matter is made out of it, so there's plenty of it sitting unnoticed in the mica of the Wimshurst machine. I can't give you a detailed answer about the latter, sorry, but here's a link:

http://www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/wimshurst.html

and you may find this "What is Charge" link useful:

http://www.amasci.com/elect/charge1.html