Coulomb's Torsion Balance

Coulomb's Torsion Balance, developed by French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb in the late 18th century, is a sensitive instrument used to measure the force of electric and magnetic interactions. It consists of a horizontal bar suspended by a thin wire, allowing it to twist. When charges are added to the ends of the bar, the forces between them cause the bar to rotate. By measuring the angle of twist, Coulomb could quantify the strength of the electric force between charged objects, providing fundamental insights into electrostatics and helping to establish the laws governing electrical interactions.