Safety Warnings
Van de Graaff generators produce high voltages (typically 200-400 kV) that can deliver painful shocks. While the current is low and generally not dangerous to healthy individuals, do not allow students with pacemakers or heart conditions to approach the operating generator. Always discharge the dome with a grounding wand before touching.
Keep a grounding wand readily accessible. Always discharge the dome completely before touching the equipment or allowing students to approach. Ground yourself before touching the generator after operation.
Purpose
A tassel on a Van de Graaff generator spreads dramatically as the strands acquire like charges and repel each other. Students see a vivid illustration of electrostatic repulsion and can observe how the strands align along radial electric field lines.
