5B30.60 - Smoke Precipitator | Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

Volta's Hailstorm may be used to precipitate smoke particles. Fill the apparatus with smoke and connect the two plates of the apparatus, one to Van de Graaff ball and one to the Van de Graaff base. When the Van de Graaff is turned on the smoke is attracted to one of the plates and precipitates out of the atmosphere. You can make a larger version of this by using a 2 L. soda bottle. Insert electrodes into each end, fill with smoke, and turn on the VDG.

Code Number:

5B30.60

Demo Title:

Smoke Precipitator

Condition:

Good

Principle:

Electrostatics

Area of Study:

Electricity & Magnetism

Disclaimer

Equipment:

Volta's Hailstorm Apparatus, Van de Graaff generator, grill lighter or matches, cigarettes, cigars, or smoke source.

Procedure:

Volta's Hailstorm may be used to precipitate smoke particles. Fill the apparatus with smoke and connect the two plates of the apparatus, one to Van de Graaff ball and one to the Van de Graaff base. When the Van de Graaff is turned on the smoke is attracted to one of the plates and precipitates out of the atmosphere.

You can make a larger version of this by using a 2 L. soda bottle. Insert electrodes into each end, fill with smoke, and turn on the VDG.

References:

Eb-12: Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
E-190: "Smoke Precipitator", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
Robert A. Morse, " # 2, Cottrell Smoke Precipitator", Teaching about Electrostatics, p. 4 - 3.

^{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.}