Static charge builds up on the Van de Graaff generator dome. Many different individual demos can be done with it. The Van de Graaff can be used to charge up the hair of a Barbie doll or person. When ...

Although the basic concept of electrostatic attraction has been known since ancient times, it was only in the 17th century that scientists began to systematically investigate electrostatics. One of ...

The Van de Graaff generator is a staple of science museums, to the point that even if the average person might not know its name, there’s an excellent chance they’ll be familiar with the “metal ball ...

The Van de Graaff generator, named for its inventor, Alabama native Robert J. Van de Graaff, is a staple at science museums and science fairs for its ability to demonstrate static electricity and make ...

ANACORTES — What happens when you place ribbons on top of a Van de Graaff generator? Do the ribbons stand up? Do they lie flat? Do they lie still? “It might catch on fire,” one young child sitting in ...