5B10.33 - Van de Graaff - Cotton Ball

Light the cigar and place it about 2 ft from the Van de Graaff dome.  Take a small piece of cotton and try to insert it between the dome and the cigar while the Van de Graaff is running.  When done correctly the cotton ball will bounce back and forth between the dome and the cigar.
Code Number:
5B10.33
Demo Title:
Van de Graaff - Cotton Ball
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Electrostatics
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment:
Van de Graaff, cigar or cigarette, grill lighter, and cotton.
Procedure:

Light the cigar and place it about 2 ft from the Van de Graaff dome.  Take a small piece of cotton and try to insert it between the dome and the cigar while the Van de Graaff is running.  When done correctly the cotton ball will bounce back and forth between the dome and the cigar.

References:
  • Jack L. Smith,  "Demonstrating Electric Fields",  TPT, Vol. 27, # 5, p. 358, May 1989.
  • Mario Iona, "Flying Fur", TPT, Vol. 25, # 3, Mar. 1987, p. 135.
  • Eugene H. Waldroup, "Response", TPT, Vol. 25, # 3, Apr. 1987, p. 136.
  • Eugene H. Waldroup, "Electric Field in the Vicinity of Charged Spheres", TPT, Vol. 24, # 4, Apr. 1986, p. 232.
  • James Vokac, William Blunk, "Soda Straws", TPT, Vol. 23, # 9, Dec. 1985, p. 567 - 568.
  • Ec- 6:  Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.


Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.