http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyden_jar

 

could i make one with gold leaf instead of aluminum foil? or maybe just a soda can aluminum as opposed to foil? jw bc i have to make one for class and bring it in.

 

OR! could i just electrical tape the outside of a soda can then wrap another soda can around it or gold leaf it and have that work?

 

If im just WAY off base and need to reconfigure my design then go ahead and clue me in on that too.xD thanks

You can use different metal but it will affect the capacity of the jar.

capacity depends upon the conductivity of metal but you can use any metal

Aluminum foil works pretty well.

 

You could also try one of these:

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/5322/bottle.htm

 

They're used in cheep, homebuilt tesla coils and other HV apparatus.