Van de Graaff, cotton piece, cigarette

 

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.
5B10.33 - Van de Graaff - Cotton Ball