5B30.95 - Human Discharge Chain

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.

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