Van Der Graaff generator question.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the functionality and charging mechanisms of Van Der Graaff generators (VDGs). It confirms that VDGs typically generate a positive charge on the aluminum sphere, but can be configured to produce a negative charge. Users can charge non-conductive objects like plastic balls by rubbing them or by applying conductive materials such as copper or graphite spray. The size of the aluminum sphere affects the amount of positive charge it can store, influencing the charge on nearby grounded objects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and charge interactions
  • Familiarity with Van Der Graaff generator operation
  • Knowledge of conductive and non-conductive materials
  • Basic principles of grounding in electrical systems
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  • Research the construction and operation of Van Der Graaff generators
  • Explore methods for charging non-conductive materials
  • Investigate the effects of sphere size on charge storage in electrostatic devices
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Students, educators, and hobbyists interested in electrostatics, physics demonstrations, and the practical applications of Van Der Graaff generators.

templedog
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The aluminum sphere on it is generating a positive charge and the wand a negative. If I put a ball on the wand, will it charge the same way the big one does? Just opposite charge?

anyone know about this thing?
 
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I guess what I'm talking about. Can you make a Van Der Graaff that works in the opposite? One that charges a plastic ball instead of aluminum or steel? but does it already do that? The wand? I'm pretty much incompetent when it comes to this.
 
Most Van de Graaff generators charge positive but they can also be build so that they will charge negative. When a grounded metal object is close to a positively charged VDG it will become negatively charged. Plastic objects don't conduct electricity and so they can't be charged up that easily. But you can charge a plastic ball by rubbing it.
 
Can I take a rubber/plastic/teflon ball that is hollow, and charge it negative? If I touch it would it zap me?does the metal object have to be grounded? or just attatched to the opposite brush? the one at the bottom?
 
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Attaching it to the opposite brush will work too.
A rubber ball can not zap you. To get a shock all the electric charge in the ball would have to flow into you within a tiny fraction of a second. That can only happen when the ball is a good conductor.
But you could spray the ball with copper or graphite spray to make it conductive.
 
If I spray paint a stainless steel gazing ball, will it still give a spark?

Does the negative charge get stronger if the aluminum sphere is larger? or does that matter?
 
Last edited:
Sure, you can paint it. It will still work.
When the aluminum sphere is bigger it will store more positive charge. Whether the negative charge on the grounded object changes depends on different factors.
As long as the grounded object is not too close to the aluminum sphere it's charge is approximately proportional to (radius of the aluminum sphere) / (distance from the aluminum sphere).
If it's very close to the sphere it gets more complicated and the amount of charge depends mostly on the distance since the distance determines how high the voltage can be before a spark jumps over.
 
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Can i charge a ping pong ball with a negative charge by putting the ground wire in one through a small hole in it?or only by rubbing it with fur? or both? If both, I wonder which is best?
 

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