Class 11th Project

PYHSICS
PROJECT
MADHU APPAYYA KUBASAD
12 SCIENCE
TH
ROLL NO. 7
MAHARASHTRA
PODAR INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL, SATARA
VAN DE GRAFF GENERATOR

CERTIFIGATE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT MADHU

KUBASAD, A STUDENT OF CLASS XII
SCIENCE, HAS SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED THE RESEARCH ON THE
VAN DE GRAFF GENERATOR
PROJECT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF
Mr. ABHIJEET SIR (SUBJECT
TEACHER) DURING THE YEAR 2023-
2024 IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF
PHYSICS PRACTICAL EXAMINATION
CONDUCTED BY CBSE, NEW DELHI.
SIGN OF TEACHER
ACKNOLEDGEMENT
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SPECIAL

THANKS OF GRATITUDE TO MY TEACHER
Mr. ABHIJEET SIR, WHO GAVE ME THE
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS
WONDERFUL PROJECT OF VAN DE GRAFF
GENERATOR, WHO ALSO HELPED ME IN
COMPLETING MY PROJECT. I CAME TO KNOW
ABOUT SO MANY NEW THINGS I AM
THANKFUL TO THEM. SECONDLY, I WOULD
ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY PARENTS
AND FRIENDS WHO HELPED ME A LOT IN
FINALIzING THIS PROJECT WITHIN THE
LIMITED TIME FRAME.
MADHU KUBASAD
12TH SCIENCE
SIGN OF CANDIDATE
INDEX
1. Certificate
2. Acknowledgement
3. Introduction
4. Activity
 Aim
 Apparatus required
 Procedure
 Diagram
 Precautions
 Conclusion
5. Working Principle
6. Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
A Van de Graff generator is an electrostatic

generator, invented by an American physicist
Robert J. Van de Graff. Capable of producing high
voltages. It creates an imbalance of charges from
the interaction between its roller, belt, and metal
comb assembly. It initially allows charges to move
along the insulated belt, then stores and distributes
them uniformly on the sphere's surface. The metal
sphere then discharges by creating sparks or
crackling noises.
What is a Van de Graff generator used for?

A Van de Graff generator was initially designed as a
particle accelerator. It generates high voltages to propel
protons or electrons at very high speeds. Data collected
in particle accelerator experiments help scientists
understand fundamental physical laws and processes
related to atoms and matter. Other applications of the
Van de Graff generator include X-ray beam generation
and science demonstration tools.
ACTIVITY
AIM:
The VAN DE GRAFF GENERATOR is
used to accelerate subatomic particles to
great speeds in an evacuated tube.
APPARATUS:
 An outer terminal - An aluminium or
steel sphere.
 Upper brush - A piece of fine metal
wire.
 Upper pulley (P1) - A piece of nylon.
 A long narrow conveyor belt of
insulating material like Silk, rayon or
rubber wound around the pulleys P1
and P2.
 Motor.
 Lower brush.
 Lower pulley (P2) - A piece of nylon
covered with silicon tape.
 B1 - Sharply pointed spray comb.
 B2 - Sharply pointed collecting comb.
PROCEDURES:
1.Understanding how it works.
2.Plan and gather supplies.
3.Building the Body.
4.Building the bottom roller and
brush.
5.Building the top roller.
6.The Belt.
7.Building the Dome and Brush.
8.Connecting the bottom roller to
the motor.
DIAGRAM:
PRECAUTIONS:
Do not use a Van de Graff
generator near water, grounded
water faucets, or other grounded
objects such as doors or walls.
Also, do not operate near
electrical equipment such as
computers, televisions, or
magnetic recordable devices (VCR
tapes or floppy disks). Make sure
no flammable gases are present.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the designed Van
de Graff generator was able to
produce arcs between itself and
the discharge rod. These arcs
varied in length and consistency,
which was dependant on the belt
material. The test results were
compared to the triboelectric
series in order to confirm
accuracy. Nylon, having produced
the greatest arc length and
consistency overall, does appear
to have caused the greatest
potential difference. Rubber, on
the other hand, produced
inconsistent and immeasurable
arcs. This does reflect the
triboelectric model where rubber
is considered a neutral material.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
After the motor is switched on
and is connected to the roller (C),
the belt moves around the pulley.
As per the principle of static
electricity, Positive charges are
sprayed on the outer edge of the
belt by a spray comb located near
the bottom roller and coupled to a
high positive potential. Charges on
the belt are carried upwards and
are collected by the receiver
comb on the top of the generator.
The charge is transported to a
hollow sphere because the upper
comb is connected to a hollow
conductor. The spherical shell
accumulates a tremendous
number of charges and creates
enormous potential as the belt
continuously transmits positive
charges to the receiver comb. Due
to the force of repulsion between
the light charges on the dome, it
Becomes increasingly difficult for the surface
to contain more and more charges. When the
spherical shell’s potential exceeds the air’s
breakdown value, the air around the sphere
becomes ionised, causing charge leakage
from the sphere. The Van de Graff generator
generates a beam of high-energy particles in
the megavolt range.
IMPORTANT QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1. What is an electric field?
An electric field is a force produced by a
charge near its surroundings. This force is
exerted on other charges when brought to the
vicinity of this field.
2. What are the applications of the Van de
Graff generator?
Van de Graff generators are frequently used
as accelerators to generate energetic particles
and X-ray beams for nuclear research and
nuclear medicine.
3. On which principle does the Van de
Graff generator work?
The Van de Graff generator works based on
the principle of static electricity. This states
that when a charged conductor comes into
contact with a hollow conductor, all charges
from the inner conductor are transmitted to
the surface of the outer conductor. This is
regardless of how much charge is already
present on the outer shell.
4. What is the process by which a Van de
Graff becomes positively charged?
The Van de Graff generator produces a
positive charge on its dome by removing
electrons. Because static electricity is a non-
contact force, a person does not need to
touch the dome to begin feeling the effects.
Any charged particle in the electric field
surrounding the dome will be affected by this
force.
5. Why does hair stand up when touching
a Van de Graff?
Each individual hair has the same net charge
as the rest of the fur and the dome. Since like
charges repel, the hairs are pushed away
from each other and the similarly-charged
dome, causing them to stand up.
6. The Van de Graff generator was
invented by ________.
A. Albert Einstein
B. Robert J. Van de Graff
C. Sir Isaac Newton
D. James Clerk Maxwell
Answer: B. Robert J. Van de Graff
Explanation – The Van de Graff generator
was designed by Robert Jemison Van de
Graff in 1929.
7. A Van de Graff generator produces
_____________.
A. large voltage and less current
B. large resistance and less voltage
C. large current and large resistance
D. large current and less voltage
Answer: A. large voltage and less current
Explanation: Van de Graff generators
produce large voltages and less currents. A
Van de Graff generator is an electrostatic
generator that creates very high electric
potentials. At low current levels, it produces
very high voltage direct current electricity.
8. What is meant by an electrostatic
generator?
An electrostatic generator, or electrostatic
machine, is an electrical generator that
produces static electricity, or electricity at high
voltage and low continuous current.
9. What factors limit the maximum voltage
obtained in a Van de Graff generator?
Several sources discuss the field intensity
outside the dome as a limiting factor on the
highest voltage. That can be generated on a
Van de Graff generator. There are also
references to possible dielectric breakdown
along the belt itself.
10. Why are there charged particles on the
dome of the Van de Graff generator?
A Van de Graff generator removes an electron
to generate a positive charge on its dome.
Since static electricity is a non-contact force, a
person does not have to interact with the
dome to experience its effects. This force will
act on any charged particle in the dome’s
electric field.
11. Define the insulator with an example.
An insulator is a material that keeps energy,
such as electricity, heat or cold, from
efficiently transferring through it. Wood,
plastic, rubber, and glass are all excellent
insulators.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 WWW.GOOGLE.COM
 WWW.WIKIPEDIA.COM
 NCERT TEXTBOOK
THANK
YOU

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PYHSICS

VAN DE GRAFF GENERATOR

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT MADHU

I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SPECIAL

A Van de Graff generator is an electrostatic

What is a Van de Graff generator used for?

IMPORTANT QUESTION AND ANSWERS

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