Van der Graaf Generator
Most recent answer: 10/22/2007
Q:
How does the Van da Graaf generator work?
- 5P students
Washington School, Monticello, IL USA
- 5P students
Washington School, Monticello, IL USA
A:
There is a rubber belt that goes from the bottom to the top. At the bottom, some electrons are sprayed on it. The belt then moves to the top. Since the electrons all have the same type of charge (negative)
they try to move away from each other.
At the top, the belt touches a conductor. The electrons move as far from each other as they can-- they go to the outside of the sphere. That leaves the rubber belt without a charge. The belt then goes back to the bottom where a few more electrons are sprayed on it.
After many passes, a large charge has been built up on the sphere. Since rubber doesn’t conduct electricity, the charge stays until we touch the sphere.
EJ
At the top, the belt touches a conductor. The electrons move as far from each other as they can-- they go to the outside of the sphere. That leaves the rubber belt without a charge. The belt then goes back to the bottom where a few more electrons are sprayed on it.
After many passes, a large charge has been built up on the sphere. Since rubber doesn’t conduct electricity, the charge stays until we touch the sphere.
EJ
(published on 10/22/2007)