THE VAN DE GRAAFF GENERATOR

PRINCIPLE BEHIND THE VAN DE GRAAFF

GENERATOR

When a charged conductor is placed in contact with

the inside of a hollow conductor, all of the charge of the
charged conductor is transferred to the hollow conductor.
The charge on the hollow conductor as well as its electric
potential can be increased without limit by repetition of this
process.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1.) Belt of insulating material = responsible for

movement of charge continuously to a high-potential
electrode (hollow conductor mounted on an insulating
column)
2.) Point A = the belt is charged by means of a corona
discharge between comb-like needles (maintained at a
+ electric potential -> 104 V) and a grounded grid.
3.) The positive charges on the moving belt ->
transferred to the dome by a second comb of needles
at point B. (Because the electric field in the dome is
negligible!)
4.) Thus, it is possible to further increase the potential
inside the dome until electrical discharge occurs in
air.

An increase in the radius of the dome, as well as placing the

entire system in a container filled with high pressure gas, can
increase its maximum potential.

If a person standing on an
insulated ground touches a Van
de Graaff generator, his/her
body -> high electric potential.
Positive charge will be
acquired by the hair resulting in
each strand repelling all the
others.

MUON8,18,28