Experiment No.

2 The Van De Graaff Generator

Group No. 2 Sept 13, 2018
Members:

Leader:
Recorder:
Materials:

Cleaner:
Discipline:

I. Objectives
1. To observe the effects of the Van de Graaff Generator on different materials

II. Experimental Set up

Fig. 1. Van de Graaff Generator model

Materials
1. 1 set tissue paper
2. 1 set ordinary metallic foil confetti
3. 1 set aluminum foil (cut to small pieces)
4. 1 pc. Rubber suction cup
5. 1 pc. Needle
6. 1 pc. Candle
7. 2 pcs. Test tube
8. 2 pcs. Cork stopper (with metal conductor)
9. 1 pc. 3-inch masking tape
10. 1 pc. Lighter (or match)
11. 1 pc. Fluorescent lamp
 III. Data and Results

OBSERVATIONS
FOIL CONFETTI INSIDE THE TEST TUBE - Confetti stuck to the sides of the test tube
ALUMINUM CONFETTI ON TOP OF THE DOME - Confetti were repelled away from the dome
LIGHTED CANDLE - Flame moved away from the needle
TISSUE PAPER - Strips stood up/stood on end
FLOURESCENT LAMP - Lighted up
HUMAN HAIR - Hair stood up/stood on end

IV. Analysis

The observed movements and reactions of various materials to the Van de Graaff Generator
were due to its build-up charge. The strips of tissue paper and the foil confetti were all
repelled from the dome itself due to its positive charge. The human hair stood on end due to
the positive charge transferred to the individual strands, causing them to repel each other.
The charge was transferred to the nail in the test tube in contact with the dome, causing the
confetti to be repelled and stick to the inside of the test tube. The flame of the candle had
charged ions that were also repelled from the metal needle.

As for the fluorescent lamp, the charge of the dome was enough to induce a movement of
electrons within the lamp, causing it to excite the gasses inside and making it flicker.

For the additional activity, the only time a reaction was observed was when the two students
were both standing on stools. The metal foil jumped away from the palm due to becoming
positively charged and being repelled from the hand. The students had to be both standing
on stools to prevent grounding, which would allow the foil pieces to become charged.

V. Question and Answer

1. Explain the concept why hair stands on end when the person holds the Van de Graaff
Generator.

When a person holds the Van de Graaff Generator, the positive charge built up in the
dome is transferred to the person, including their hair. Once the individual strands gain a
positive charge, they will tend to repel each other because of their same charge. The
repulsion causes the hair strands to stand on end.

2. Why are there charged particles on the dome of the Van de Graaff?
 Inside the Van de Graaff Generator, there is a belt connected by 2 rollers. As the rollers
move the belt, a brush in contact with the belt removes electrons from it, giving it a
positive charge. The dome, in turn, would tend to lose its electrons to the charged belt,
giving the dome a positive charge as well.

3. What happens when a strip of polyethylene is rubbed with cloth? What about if the
strips of the polyethylene are placed near another polyethylene?

Polyethylene is a material that tends to become negatively charged, which is what will
happen if it is rubbed with cloth. This charged strip of polyethylene, when brought near
another polyethylene that is uncharged, will induce a charge in the new polyethylene
strip with one side being positively charged and the other being negatively charged. The
new strip will then be attracted to the previous strip because the positive side of the
new strip will be facing toward the already negatively charged old strip.