What happen to a metal bar near a Van de Graaff?

In summary, - Van de Graaff generators generate electrostatic fields which can attract electrons, but cannot magnetize metal- If the magnitude of an electric field from Van de Graaff generators is strong enough to produce a spark to the ground, will it generate enough magnetic field to polarize a small local area on the ground's surface?- Any suggestions?
  • #1
oem7110
151
0
When I place a metal bar near a Van de Graaff, which generate hugh amount of positive charges on its surface, if I hold it for a period of time, will it be possible to magnetize this metal bar? what happen to its internal molecula structure?
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
 
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  • #2
The metal bar has a finite (and VERY small) capacitance. The potential of the bar will match that of the Van de Graaff, and the charge density on the surface could be calculated based on the capacitance.

The Van de Graaff can generate fairly high voltages, but not infinitely high - not high enough to cause a breakdown at a molecular level of a metal.
 
  • #3
uby said:
The metal bar has a finite (and VERY small) capacitance. The potential of the bar will match that of the Van de Graaff, and the charge density on the surface could be calculated based on the capacitance.

The Van de Graaff can generate fairly high voltages, but not infinitely high - not high enough to cause a breakdown at a molecular level of a metal.

What if I place Van de Graaff near the ground for a long period, will the ground have higher capacitance to be magnetized with this positive charges from the Van de Graaff?
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks you very much for any suggestions
 
  • #4
oem7110 said:
When I place a metal bar near a Van de Graaff, which generate hugh amount of positive charges on its surface, if I hold it for a period of time, will it be possible to magnetize this metal bar? what happen to its internal molecula structure?
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions

I sounds like you are mixing up electric polarization with magnetization.

What would happen is that when the bar is near the surface of the Van de Graaff generator, the positive charge of the generator would create an electrostatic field which would attract the electrons in the metal causing the side closest to it to become negatively charged compared to the other side (electric polarization). Magnetization happens when a magnetic field aligns the tiny magnetic dipoles of a material (magnetic polarization) and some of the dipoles stay aligned after the field is removed.

Since Van de Graaff generators only generate electrostatic fields, they cannot magnetize an object, no matter how long it's held near it.
 
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  • #5
Jasso said:
Since Van de Graaff generators only generate electrostatic fields, they cannot magnetize an object, no matter how long it's held near it.

The electrostatic force experienced by positive charges from Van de Graaff generators is the interaction between negative charges from the ground's surface. The electric field is the force per charge at a given location and is perpendicular to Van de Graaff generators' surface. Whenever there is an electric field, would it be true that there is also a magnetic field existed?

If the magnitude of an electric field from Van de Graaff generators is strong enough to produce a spark to the ground, will it generate enough magnetic field to polarize a small local area on the ground's surface?
 
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  • #6
Any suggestions?
 
  • #7
oem7110, I do have a suggestion: study and learn basic physics. You demonstrate a lack of understanding of the fundamentals.
Above, you wanted to magnetize concrete using voltage. Then you wanted to magnetize water using voltage. Now, you want to magnetize a metal bar using voltage.

In all three tries here in this forum you have been told by experienced scientists and engineers that you are talking "pseudoscience". That means, in case you can't handle words with more than ten letters, science fiction, or, pure bs.

This is an opportunity for you to learn from this where your understanding is faulty.
 

What happens to a metal bar near a Van de Graaff?

The metal bar will experience an electric charge when brought near the Van de Graaff generator. The magnitude of the charge will depend on the distance between the bar and the generator, as well as the charge on the generator itself.

Does the metal bar gain or lose electrons?

The metal bar can gain or lose electrons, depending on the charge of the Van de Graaff generator. If the generator has a positive charge, the metal bar will lose electrons and become positively charged. If the generator has a negative charge, the metal bar will gain electrons and become negatively charged.

Will the metal bar attract or repel other objects?

If the metal bar has a positive charge, it will repel other positively charged objects and attract negatively charged objects. If the metal bar has a negative charge, the opposite will occur - it will repel negatively charged objects and attract positively charged objects.

What happens if the metal bar touches the Van de Graaff generator?

If the metal bar touches the Van de Graaff generator, it will equalize the charge between the two objects. This may result in a spark or discharge of electricity.

Can the metal bar damage the Van de Graaff generator?

In most cases, the metal bar will not damage the Van de Graaff generator. However, if the metal bar is made of a conductive material that is not compatible with the generator, it could potentially cause damage. It is important to use a metal bar made of a material that is safe for use with the generator.

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