Code Number: 5B30.95

Demo Title: Human Discharge Chain

Condition: Good

Principle: Electrostatics

Area of Study: Electricity & Magnetism

Equipment: Van de Graaff, Tesla Coil, or Leyden Jar, Humans holding hands.

Procedure:

Have several people hold hands while one of them touches the Van de Graaff. The person on the end will feel a shock if they try to touch a grounded object.

References:

Scott C. Dudley, Bret D. Heerema, and Ryan K. Haaland, "The Human Discharge Chain", AJP, Vol. 65, #6, June 1997, p. 553.
Rick Beyer, "Ring of Fire", The Greatest Science Stories Never Told", p. 24.

Disclaimer

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Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

5B30.95 - Human Discharge Chain

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