Can a Van De Graaff Generator Create Sparks Inside Its Dome?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that a Van De Graaff generator's dome cannot create sparks inside its dome when a wire connects the inside and outside surfaces, as both will be at the same electric potential. The dome maintains a higher potential than the charging belt, and without a ground connection, the inside remains neutral with no electric field. The conversation emphasizes the importance of grounding to alter the potential and generate sparks.

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If you run a wire from the outside surface of the dome to the inside of the same dome, would it be possible to make a spark to the inside surface of the same dome?
 
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With a conducting connection between the two parts? No. They will be at the same potential.
 
How come? The dome is at a higher potential than the belt that's charging it.
 
Not at the point where the charges are extracted (neglecting the tiny resistances and current flow in the material).
 
Okay, will this capacitor charge? The cap and ground are shielded from the belt and rotor.
 

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How do you get a ground connection in the middle? If you take a cable out, it will charge.
 
I just didn't want to clutter the diagram; but yes, a cable is going outside the dome to ground.

I was always told that the inside of the dome is neutral or had no potential.
 
It has no electric field - unless you add a connection to ground. That's not the same as no potential (which does not exist anyway - a potential can be zero but it cannot be nonexistent).
 
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