Electrostatic Machines Concept

Demonstrations in Electrostatic Machines

Wimshurst machine with two overlapping glass disks bearing metal sectors, two large Leyden jars, adjustable spherical discharge terminals, diagonal neutralizer bars, and hand crank on a wooden platform with turned legs
Safety

Wimshurst Machine

A hand-cranked electrostatic generator demonstrates charge separation, voltage buildup, and dielectric breakdown. Connecting the Leyden jars increases system capacitance, producing less frequent but dramatically more energetic sparks -- a vivid …
Large polished chrome sphere on a red insulating column with a discharge wand visible to the right
Safety

Dissectible Van de Graaff

A Van de Graaff generator with transparent column and removable sphere reveals the internal belt, rollers, and discharge combs. Students observe how charge is transported mechanically and transferred via corona …
Van de Graaff generator with large polished sphere on column above white base unit, smaller grounded discharge sphere on tripod stand to the right, connected by red clip lead
Safety

Van de Graaff

Demonstrates electrostatic charge accumulation, high-voltage generation, and dielectric breakdown. On a dry day, the generator produces sparks up to ~11 cm (~275 kV), allowing quantitative voltage estimation from spark length.
Blue Fun Fly Stick wand with instruction box and transparent foil figures on gray surface

Fun Fly Stick

Demonstrates electrostatic charge transfer and Coulomb repulsion using a battery-operated wand that levitates lightweight foil figures. Students see that like charges repel with enough force to overcome gravity.