How it works .. ?

The Van de Graaff Generator was created in 1929 by American physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff at Princeton University.

The Over All Principal:

• • When two different materials in close contact are separated there is usually a transfer of free electrons from one to the other. The result is that one becomes charged negatively and one becomes charged positively. This charges may accumulate to higher voltage, but the charges neutralize over time and both material go back to having cero of charge.

How it Works Inside the Van de Graaff:

• In the Van de Graaff Generator the motor makes the belt moves in a rotating motion causing the fabric from the belt to create a type of friction

• As the belt rotates it is brushed with the top brush and as this ocurs the electrons from the top are removed causing the dome to become positivly charged.

  • Since the belt is a good insulator the negative charge does not move from it and its carried down.

• As the charges at the top accumulate the voltages of the pulley increase until the electrons are able to escape and jump the gap to the electrode brush were they are now free to go to the surface of the dome.

• In time the charges on the dome will build up to a point in were electrons will begin to scape by ionizing the surrounding air or connecting to a nearby ground, in any case a balance will be reached and the voltage of the dome will not increase once it reaches that point.

Whats inside the Generator:

• One belt in the middle

• Two Burshes, one at the top and another at the bottom

• A mottor

• A dome

• A Rod that will connect to the ground and be used to neutralize the dome

Precautions:

When the generator is in action it produces high voltage, this voltage can be dangerous if touched without precation. When the Van de Graaff is in action DO NOT touch the dome.