User Tools

Site Tools


demonstrations:5_electricity_and_magnetism:5a_electrostatics:van_de_graaff_generator:start

This is an old revision of the document!


Van De Graaff Generator

Description

Classic physics demonstration. Creates large potentials using the Triboelectric effect with a rubber belt and a metal comb.

Purpose

To demonstrate the effects of a large electrostatic charge on various objects and to demonstrate what coronal discharge looks like.

Apparatus

  • Van de Graaff machine
  • Franklin's Bell
  • Neon Light
  • Aluminum Pie Plates
  • Volunteer with long hair
  • Plastic Stand
  • Soap Bubbles

Setup

Instructions for the use are marked on the machine. An electrostatic windmill, neon light and a stack of pie plates can be demonstrated with the machine. “Hair” can be made out of strips of paper so that the paper can stand up on end. Rubber mats are available for student to stand on to show hair standing up.

Notes

If the belt in the smaller version of the van de graaff, make a replacement out of the vinyl shower curtain located in a box at the back of the room Updated on April 28, 2017

Demo room information

Location —-
Maker Unknown
Current State Working
demonstrations/5_electricity_and_magnetism/5a_electrostatics/van_de_graaff_generator/start.1550190073.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/02/15 00:21 by demoroom