Van de Graaff, Mylar balloons, no.32 magnet wire

 

Code Number: 5A20.30

Demo Title: Van de Graaff - Balloons

Condition: Good

Principle: Electrostatics

Area of Study: Electricity & Magnetism

Equipment: 

Van de Graaff, Mylar balloons, no.32 magnet wire.

Procedure:

Blow up the Mylar balloons with helium and attach a 5ft. wire with tape.  Tape the other end of the wire to the dome of the Van de Graaff.  When the Van de Graaff is turned on the balloons will act like the two leaves of an electroscope and fly apart.

References:

  • Harry Rheam,  "Static Electricity and Mylar",  TPT, Vol. 28, # 2, p. 103, Feb. 1990.
  • Peter Insley, Chris Chiaverina, and Jim Hicks, "Thermal Expansion Plus", TPT, Vol. 22, # 8, Nov. 1984, p. 530 - 531.
  • M. D. Daybell and R. J. Liefeld, "Electrostatic Demonstrations with Charged Inflated Balloons", AJP, Vol. 31, #2, Feb. 1963, p. 135.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Charge It Up", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 240.
  • "A Mylar Balloon Electroscope", PIRA News, Vol. 8, #  2, p. 13.
5A20.30 - Van de Graaff - Balloons