Kid's Stuff
Van de Graff Generator
The Van de Graff generator is best known as “the thing that makes your hair stand up.” The “thing” looks like a big, aluminum ball mounted on a pedestal.Students are attracted to the Van de Graaff generator because of its affect when used, but through literal, hands-on experience, students can learn about static electricity. Furthermore, as students learn about static electricity, they learn about atoms, the atomic nucleus, electrons, neutrons and protons.
American physicist Robert Jemison Van de Graaf invented the Van de Graaff generator in 1931. Although Van de Graaff invented the special generator for supplying high energy for early particle accelerators, most students are interested mostly in the generator’s affects. (The history of the Van de Graaff generator can be incorporated into the generator lesson, as requested by the teacher.)
For more information or to schedule a safety demonstration contact the communications department at 1-800-264-7732 or e-mail
laura.thornton@peariver.com.