What is the Van de Graaff generator and how does it work?

woody156

It's an electrostatic machine used to generate high voltages for nuclear physics experiments. I'm not really sure how it works, but it builds up a charge inside a sphere which discharges electricity much like the doorknob you described earlier. Feb 08 04, 1:31 PM

Hamlet.

Correct, inside the tube (that the metal sphere stands on) is a rubber belt that moves vertically from the base of the generator to the metal sphere. The rubber belt moves negative charges up the tube and into the metal sphere. Metal combs are used to catch the charges and distribute them around the exterior of the metal sphere. When a person puts their hand on the sphere the electrical charges travel onto the person's body. Often, when the person's body is covered with electrical charge their hair stands up on end because the electrical charges on the hair repel each other. This does not hurt the person, because there is not enough current flowing through their body to cause harm. Very often they are in science museums, and are used to entertain children...and hopefully teach them something. Feb 08 04, 1:57 PM

sequoianoir

You can easily make your own. Plans and an explanation here: http://science.howstuffworks.com/vdg3.htm Just to comment on woody's "a charge inside a sphere which discharges electricity much like the doorknob you described earlier". In the shocking doorknob case, it is not the doorknob that has the charge. The knob actually is the grounding point and the charge is on the body of the person that touches it. Caused by shuffling over nylon carpets and wearing materials that generate static through movement just like a vdG generator does. And the "How it Works" page: http://science.howstuffworks.com/vdg2.htm Feb 08 04, 2:08 PM