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Answers to Readers' Questions on Physical Science:

Static Electricity Generation

The following 6 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.

List of first 10 items

• Can you bend a stream of water 50 mm?
• Make this site more kid friendly
• Can a Van de Graaff generator move a metal sphere?
• Wants to detect ghosts with Van de Graaf generator
• Wants to build a Van de Graaf generator
• Static electricity throughout my residence

Next 10

Can you bend a stream of water 50 mm?

Question

February 24, 2009

Hi,wanting to know if any of the devices that create static electricity could bend or divert a 5 to 10 millemeter continuose stream of tap water or water specially treated,by around 50 millemeters

Christian - Australia

17322

Answer

You want the water to be running as slow as possible, yet still staying in a continuous stream. You probably could bend a 10 mm wide stream 50 mm with a charged plastic comb or rod.

Note that the bending starts where you put the static charges and then goes at an angle for a distance. See the picture at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_induction.htm

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Make this site more kid friendly

Question

February 20, 2009

I recommend that you guys make this site more kid friendly. It's not that interesting, well that's my opinion. You should make this site with more games.

Lexxus - USA

17304

Answer

Thanks for the suggestion. We will consider it.

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Can a Van de Graaff generator move a metal sphere?

Question

January 8, 2008

A description is given about a Van de Graaff generator which is 35" in height and capable of producing 400,000 volts. Can this voltage be used to move a perfectly smooth metal sphere weighing 500 gm (assumed figure)from one end of a smooth horizontal wooden table top to the other end by applying the voltage from this generator, one terminal touching the ball and the other terminal connected to a vertical steel plane on the other end of the table?

Susantha - Sri Lanka

15064

Answer

Although the generator produces a very high voltage, the amount of current is very low, resulting in a low power: W = VI.

The Van de Graaff generator can shoot sparks and such, but it is not really effective in moving anything but very light-weight objects.

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Wants to detect ghosts with Van de Graaf generator

Question

August 19, 2007

hey, im thinkin of creating a VDG generator. infact the simulation of 2 large VDG 's is exactly what im looking to do. reason being, im tryin to create an open energy source. for the purpose of paranormal investigations...one theory is, ghosts absorb energy, from such as, batteries, air (thus producing cold spots), etc. so i had remembered my jr. high science classess, and the VDG generator my teacher had and figured it would not only produce an energy source that they (ghosts) could draw from (in theory of course), and be safe to use. =)
course if i do get more paranormal activity when using a VDG, ill be tempted to somehow increase the power source, heheh. but 1st thing 1st...any suggestions and help would be most appreciated

keith - USA

14214

Answer

I am not sure that ghosts or spirits absorb energy, especially since they are probably not of the material world. Electrical charges and energy require electrons and matter. That is contrary to what people believe that ghosts consist of.

Paranormal investigations usually concern added senses that humans and animals have, beyond the five senses. Some people claim to have sensed spirits or ghosts and a few claim to have even communicated with them. See our material on the Senses, especially Sensing Spirits at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/senses/spirits.htm

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Wants to build a Van de Graaf generator

Question

January 17, 2006

QUESTION:

What materials did you used in making the van de graaf model in static electricy? Can you give me the material so that i can built my own van de graaf model so that i can help my school?

emerson - Philippines

9716

Answer

The following sites list materials and give instructions on how to make a Van de Graaf generator:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/vdg3.htm

http://web.singnet.com.sg/~sengam/construction.htm

http://scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/electro/electro6.html

Let me know about your progress in your project.

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Static electricity throughout my residence

Question

September 2, 2005

There is static electricity throughout my residence. Can it be done through digital cable. I have been harrassed by a cop since November. I don't know what to do.

Deborah - USA

7983

Answer

Polyester material--especially clothes--and dry air are often the causes of static electricity in a residence. Cable has nothing to do with it.

Try wearing all cotton, using skin moisturizers, adding plants to your place or a humidifier. That should help.

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