Getting higher potential difference with Van De Graaff machines

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the potential of Van De Graaff (VDG) machines to generate high voltages, specifically over 10 million volts, through a magnified design approach. By combining multiple VDG units (VDGA, VDGB, VDGC) into a single system (VDGX), the voltage can theoretically be increased significantly, potentially reaching 100 million volts. This design allows for the aggregation of positive charges, although some charge loss may occur. The application of such high voltage on a deuterium or tritium gas mixture could lead to reactions akin to natural lightning or even fusion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Van De Graaff machine operation
  • Knowledge of high-voltage physics
  • Familiarity with gas mixtures, specifically deuterium and tritium
  • Basic principles of electrical charge aggregation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research advanced Van De Graaff machine designs and configurations
  • Explore the physics of high-voltage generation and stability
  • Investigate the chemical reactions involving deuterium and tritium
  • Learn about the principles of charge loss in electrical systems
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, physicists, and hobbyists interested in high-voltage applications, electrical engineering, and experimental physics involving Van De Graaff machines and fusion reactions.

stevecheang
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Using a Van De Graaff (VDG) machine, we can easily generate million-volt high voltage. The high potential difference can be generated effectively with minimum energy supplied to the machine. The larger the volume of the machine would be, the higher the voltage could get. However, stability would be a problem when the voltage gets to over 10 million-volts. This issue could be resolved with ‘magnified’ machine design. For example,

VDG1, VDG2, VDG3 è VDGA
VDG4, VDG5, VDG6 è VDGB
VDG7, VDG8, VDG9 è VDGC

VDGA, VDGB, VDGC è VDGX

In that case, VDGA works like a magnifier which aggregates the positive charge (or negative charge conducted from smaller VDGs) and collectively ‘magnifies’ the voltage to higher voltage. Of course, a portion of the positive charge could be lost in the process. However, it could theoretically be possible to keep majority of it until the voltage gets elevated to 100 million volts or higher. With such high voltage working on the deuterium or tritium, gas mixture which could be mixed from a source of gaseous catalyst, selected from the group consisting of beryllium, carbonates, hydroxides, halides, sulfates, phosphates, and sulfides. The reaction produces natural lightning, or occasional fusion reaction if you like.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Someone I know was arguing and claimed natural lightning would not produce fusion. First of all, the design described here is not about real natural lightning. You don't get to manipulate real natural lightning with the addition of deuterium or tritium in the picture. Second, real natural lightning has voltage in the range of a few million to at most 10 million volts. You don't get as high voltage as the design theoretically could (if it works).
 
Someone asked, "Have you tried the theory to magnify the voltage?" I actually tried building a simple VDG and direct the charges to another larger hollow metal ball (not a VDG) successfully. However, I have never tried more than that. Hence, it would be difficult for me to say for sure whether it definitely would work.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
12K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K