Van de Graaff generator
- Recommended age: from 12 years
- Recommended quantity per cabinet: 1 thing
- Recommended level of education:
- — Basic general education (5-9 grades)
- — Secondary general (grades 10 and 11)
- — Additional education
- Important: The product is included in the register of industrial products manufactured in the territory of the Russian Federation, the registry entry number is 10332746
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Software for carrying out computational modeling: "Interactive digital laboratory". Included in the register of Russian software of the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation #5603 from 26.07.2019.
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Included in the list of educational equipment for equipping and modernizing schools (Order No. 838 of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation dated November 28.11.2024, XNUMX)
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Note: To operate the device, an additional power source with a voltage of at least 15V is required, for example, a 24V adjustable power supply with a load current of up to 10A.
Purpose
The Van de Graaff generator is designed to conduct demonstration experiments on electrostatics, including demonstrating the electrification of bodies during mutual contact and a spark gas discharge in air.
In addition, the device allows one to demonstrate the transfer of electrostatic charge by a moving dielectric tape.
What will the child learn?
The set allows you to become familiar with charge transfer and the creation of high voltage in electrostatic experiments, which are illustrated by a Van de Graaff generator.
The user, using the set, will be able to master how to:
— Measurement of current carried by a moving dielectric tape
— Obtaining high voltage and observing spark breakdown in air
Updates
The kit allows you to teach the main stages of conducting an experimental study, and also allows you to conduct joint research with students.
The charge is removed from the tape and its surface is charged by the brushes of the upper and lower rollers, respectively. The tape drive electric motor is powered by an adjustable DC source (not included).
- Massive base
- High voltage charged metal sphere (removable, for demonstrating the Van de Graaff generator device)
— Drive with moving rubberized belt
— Brushes for charge transfer
— Discharge device
- Resistor
— Software for conducting computational modeling of electrostatic interactions
- Package
Software for conducting computational modeling
Software for modeling electrostatic interactions provides consideration of the interaction of charges placed on the conducting surfaces of two spheres.
The simulation software allows you to specify the radius of the spheres, the distance between their centers, and the amount of charge placed on the spheres. It also determines whether the signs of the charges on the spheres are the same or opposite.
The software calculates the charge distribution on the surface of each sphere and the electrostatic field strength in the space between the spheres. The data is output as a graph of the electric field change in the space between the spheres, as well as as a 3D animation of the charge arrangement on the surface of the spheres.
For clarity, the formation of the final charge density distribution is shown in the form of an animation using the example of individual point charges distributed over the surface of spheres.