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The Van de Graaff generator produces large electrostatic potentials of around 107 volts. It works by using a belt to continuously transfer positive charges to a hollow metallic sphere mounted on insulating pillars. As the positive charges build up on the sphere, its potential increases until it reaches a maximum level. The generator uses electrostatic induction and the action of points near combs to ionize air and transfer positive charges to the belt from one comb and negative charges from the other comb. The high voltages produced can be used to accelerate ions for nuclear experiments.

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51 views3 pages

Pasted From : Aaaaaaaawc/O9Mif6Dppee/S320/Image - Gif

The Van de Graaff generator produces large electrostatic potentials of around 107 volts. It works by using a belt to continuously transfer positive charges to a hollow metallic sphere mounted on insulating pillars. As the positive charges build up on the sphere, its potential increases until it reaches a maximum level. The generator uses electrostatic induction and the action of points near combs to ionize air and transfer positive charges to the belt from one comb and negative charges from the other comb. The high voltages produced can be used to accelerate ions for nuclear experiments.

Uploaded by

Kumar Manoharan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Van de Graaff Generator


In 1929, Robert J. Van de Graaff designed an
electrostatic
machine which produces large electrostatic
potential difference of the
order of 107v.

The working of Van de Graaff generator is based on the principle


of electrostatic induction and action of points.
A hollow metallic sphere A is mounted on insulating pillars asshown in the Fig.1.32.
A
pulley B is mounted at the centre of the sphere and another pulley C is mounted
near the
bottom. A belt made of silk moves over the pulleys. The pulley C is driven
continuously by
an electric motor. Two comb-shaped conductors D and E having number
of needles, are mounted near the pulleys. The comb D is maintained at
a positive potential of the order of 104 volt by a power supply. The upper
comb E is connected to the inner side of the hollow metal sphere.

Because of the high electric field near the comb D, the air gets
ionised due to action of points, the negative charges in air move
towards the needles and positive charges are repelled on towards the
belt. These positive charges stick to the belt, moves up and reaches
near the comb E.
As a result of electrostatic induction, the comb E acquires
negative charge and the sphere acquires positive charge. The acquired
positive charge is distributed on the outer surface of the sphere. The
high electric field at the comb E ionises the air. Hence, negative
charges are repelled to the belt, neutralises the positive charge on the
belt before the belt passes over the pulley. Hence the descending belt
will be left uncharged.
Thus the machine, continuously transfers the positive charge to
the sphere. As a result, the potential of the sphere keeps increasing till
it attains a limiting value (maximum). After this stage no more chargecan be placed
on the sphere, it starts leaking to the surrounding due
to ionisation of the air.
The leakage of charge from the sphere can be reduced by
enclosing it in a gas filled steel chamber at a very high pressure.
The high voltage produced in this generator can be used to
accelerate positive ions (protons, deuterons) for the purpose of nuclear
disintegration.

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