Van de Graaff Generator

We use a Van de Graaff generator to investigate static electricity. The generator is turned on and we see a spark move between the two domes. We then place a wig on the main dome and see the hair rise as the charge builds and the hairs repel each other. Then a stack of metal dishes is placed on the dome and when the Van de Graaff generator is turned on they fly off one by one. Physics - Electricity And Circuits - Learning Points. Like charges repel and unlike charges attract. Electric charge can move through a conductor. Friction can create unbalanced charges by moving electrons from one material to another. The Van de Graaff generator has a continuous electron removal belt that can give the top dome a very strong positive charge. As the charge on the top dome becomes more positive, it is said to have a higher voltage with respect to its surroundings. This means that the charge on the dome has a higher electrical energy. A Twig Experiment Film. Let students experience real experiments in lab conditions anywhere, from setup, method all the way through to analysis and real-world application.