Science 9

Van de Graaff generators are used to create a large amount of charge on the surface of its metal sphere. Please watch this video describing their operation.

Video: How Van de Graaff generators work (4:13)

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) gun is similar to a Van de Graaff generator, creating a large amount of charge at the tip of the gun. We will watch a video about ESD once all the way through, and then go through again while answering the questions below.

Video: Don't worry, it's just ESD! (1:26)

1. How many volts is 25 kilovolts?
   
2. At 0:27, why does the discharge to a grounded box not hurt him?
3. At 0:49, why does the discharge to the board hurt him?
4. At 1:07, electrons are discharged from the gun to a grounded board. Where do the electrons go?
5. At 1:14, electrons are discharged from the gun to an isolated board. Where do the electrons go?
6. At 1:20, what should he have done to prevent being shocked by the charged board?

The largest Van de Graaff generator in the world is at the Boston Museum of Science.

World's Largest Van Der Graaff Generator Demo at Boston MOS (0:45)