Comments on: Experiments with a van de Graaff Generator http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/ Especially for those "Department of One" Warriors Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:45:29 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Scott http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/#comment-458 Scott Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:45:29 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=191#comment-458 I like the plans for the generator, that's pretty simple, but it should work just fine. A larger dome holds more charge, and round is optimal. So if it works with a soda can, you might be able to improve upon the design by using something larger and rounder in its place. My department purchases our lab equipment from Carolina Biological Supply. They have good stuff, however it is much more expensive. I use the 350,000 volt model. http://www.carolina.com/p2p/endecaSearch.do?keyword=van+de+graaff&Search.x=0&Search.y=0 The one you are looking to buy seems fine, but it doesn't list the voltage it generates, which makes it hard to compare. It seems perfect for your use, although I'm not sure what you will do with it after the science fair. I like the plans for the generator, that’s pretty simple, but it should work just fine. A larger dome holds more charge, and round is optimal. So if it works with a soda can, you might be able to improve upon the design by using something larger and rounder in its place.

My department purchases our lab equipment from Carolina Biological Supply. They have good stuff, however it is much more expensive. I use the 350,000 volt model.

http://www.carolina.com/p2p/endecaSearch.do?keyword=van+de+graaff&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

The one you are looking to buy seems fine, but it doesn’t list the voltage it generates, which makes it hard to compare. It seems perfect for your use, although I’m not sure what you will do with it after the science fair.

]]> By: Jack http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/#comment-454 Jack Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:26 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=191#comment-454 Thank very much for your advice Scott. I have decided to make my hypothese about Static Electricity like you recomended. I would also like to buy a real Van de Graaff generator in addition to the one I will build. I found two websites. One describes how to build a Van de Graaff generator at home with step by step intructions. The other is from a store and has accesories. this is the tutorial how to make it: http://scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/electro/electro6.html this is the website of where to buy it: http://www.grabcart.com/product/vg/pcgames/unbeatablesaleamed3380/Ginsberg-Scientific-7-501-14-Van-de-Graff-Generator-With-Accessories If you know of a different Van de Graaff generator that is better or cheaper please let me know. Also please tell me what you think of the Van de Graaf generator that I will make. Please tell me if you know of a better one that I can make. Thank You, Jack Thank very much for your advice Scott. I have decided to make my hypothese about Static Electricity like you recomended. I would also like to buy a real Van de Graaff generator in addition to the one I will build. I found two websites. One describes how to build a Van de Graaff generator at home with step by step intructions. The other is from a store and has accesories.
this is the tutorial how to make it:
http://scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/electro/electro6.html

this is the website of where to buy it:
http://www.grabcart.com/product/vg/pcgames/unbeatablesaleamed3380/Ginsberg-Scientific-7-501-14-Van-de-Graff-Generator-With-Accessories

If you know of a different Van de Graaff generator that is better or cheaper please let me know.
Also please tell me what you think of the Van de Graaf generator that I will make. Please tell me if you know of a better one that I can make.

Thank You,
Jack

]]> By: Scott http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/#comment-422 Scott Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:43:59 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=191#comment-422 Jack, This is a really cool project, if you can get some help, go for it. Go to www.instructables.com and do a search on van de graaff, you will get several sets of instructions. The wiring is only a motor. I would use a DC motor because varying the voltage changes the speed. The charge you build up on the generator isn't likely to be enough to do any damage. The one I have at school is 400,000 volts, it can sting, but it doesn't hurt anything. You won't likely get that much voltage out of yours. We can barely make hair stand on end with 400,000 volts. As for your hypothesis, do some research on "static electricity" and the van de graaff and see what kind of effects you can create. Maybe - "Can you light a bulb with static electricity?" Good luck. Scott Jack,
This is a really cool project, if you can get some help, go for it. Go to http://www.instructables.com and do a search on van de graaff, you will get several sets of instructions.

The wiring is only a motor. I would use a DC motor because varying the voltage changes the speed. The charge you build up on the generator isn’t likely to be enough to do any damage. The one I have at school is 400,000 volts, it can sting, but it doesn’t hurt anything. You won’t likely get that much voltage out of yours. We can barely make hair stand on end with 400,000 volts.

As for your hypothesis, do some research on “static electricity” and the van de graaff and see what kind of effects you can create. Maybe – “Can you light a bulb with static electricity?”

Good luck.

Scott

]]> By: Jack http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/#comment-421 Jack Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:36:45 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=191#comment-421 I am a student who is interested in doing a science fair project that is related to a van de graaff generator. I need to make a safe Van De Graaff generator or else I will be permitted to do the project. Do you have any suggestions on: what thesis i might use what i might do as an experiment how to make a safe van de graaff generator Most importantly how I can make a home made one if I am not an electronics expert and I know almost nothing about electronics. I am going to need step by step instructions, a kit, or what? Thank You, Jack I am a student who is interested in doing a science fair project that is related to a van de graaff generator. I need to make a safe Van De Graaff generator or else I will be permitted to do the project.
Do you have any suggestions on:

what thesis i might use
what i might do as an experiment
how to make a safe van de graaff generator

Most importantly how I can make a home made one if I am not an electronics expert and I know almost nothing about electronics. I am going to need step by step instructions, a kit, or what?

Thank You,
Jack

]]> By: geetha ramesh http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/#comment-266 geetha ramesh Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:49:56 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=191#comment-266 Dear friend , These types of motion pictures are required to tezhc class XII CBSE physics geetha ramesh Dear friend ,
These types of motion pictures are required to tezhc class XII CBSE physics

geetha ramesh

]]> By: Ron Redetzke http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/#comment-263 Ron Redetzke Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:59:20 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=191#comment-263 One thing I like to do is tape the end of a few pieces of yarn down on the top of the VG and then place a pie tin on top as a hat with a face painted on the front. Turn it on and the "hat" flys off while the "hair" stands up. One thing I like to do is tape the end of a few pieces of yarn down on the top of the VG and then place a pie tin on top as a hat with a face painted on the front. Turn it on and the “hat” flys off while the “hair” stands up.

]]> By: Kim http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/experiments-with-a-van-de-graaff-generator/#comment-229 Kim Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:09:38 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=191#comment-229 Just a short note about #2 (strips of paper) - I don't know how flexible your paper is, but I use streamers.... while the strips are still repelling each other, after the VDG is turned off, send a student to touch one of the strips of paper. The others around it will be attracted and will look like they are "reaching" for the student! Very fun, and Little-Shop-of-Horrors-ish! Thanks for the post! I'll have to try the paper punch holes next year.... Just a short note about #2 (strips of paper) – I don’t know how flexible your paper is, but I use streamers…. while the strips are still repelling each other, after the VDG is turned off, send a student to touch one of the strips of paper. The others around it will be attracted and will look like they are “reaching” for the student! Very fun, and Little-Shop-of-Horrors-ish!

Thanks for the post! I’ll have to try the paper punch holes next year….

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