Lett, Increasing the distance between electrode and

sphere to 6 in. reduces the number of discharges to

one about every 3 or 4 seconds. Right, If the elec-
trode is swung down away from the sphere the
charge will build up in the sphere until suddenly a
bolt of artificial lightning will jump between the
sphere and the metal ring around the base—a
distance of about 18 in. if the relative humidity is
low enough.

Several interesting experiments, including the

generation of ozone can be conducted with this
electrostatic generator.
Ideal for school or home laboratory experiments. How It Works. The initial charge is produced
this self-charging electrostatic generator can be built by a rubber belt (Fig. 5) passing over and
for a total cost of only $27.95. around the lower, Lucite pulley covered with
polyethylene tape.
This static charge

150,000-VoIt Van de Graaff is due to dissimi-

lar materials being
repeatedly brought

Electrostatic Generator together and then

separated. The
frictional charge
stays on the pul-
Craft Print Project No. 283 ley, since it is
made of good in-
sulating material,
and builds up a po-
By HAROLD P. STRAND tential sufficient to
ionize the air at

S TANDING only 17-1/2 in. high, this

miniature self-charging electrosta-
tic generator is a simplified and
small working model of the multi-mil-
the ground brush.
The pulley is neg-
atively charged,
thus attracting
lion volt electrostatic generator devel-
oped by Dr. Robert J. Van de Graaff positive charges
in 1931. This table-top size generator Using the wire ca-
(Fig. 1), is capable of developing and p a c i t o r s h o w n in
discharging over 150,000 volts in the Fig. I6C and with the
form of an electric arc (Figs. 2, 3, and electrode set about 3
in. from the sphere,
4). Although the voltage is very high, a noisy discharge in
the current is low (about 5 micro- the form of an arc
amperes) so there is no chance of the will jump the gap
user getting a dangerous electric shock. a b o u t e v e r y 2 sec-
onds.

174 SCIENCE AND MECHANICS

FEBRUARY, 1958 175

Completed inside view of base showing arrangement
of parts and wiring.
through the brush, but, since the belt operates
between the pulley and brush, these positive
charges are picked up by the belt and carried
up to the high voltage sphere or terminal at the
top of the insulating column. The upper pul-
ley, also made of Lucite but covered with a
layer of aluminum foil, then becomes positively
charged. Since unlike charges attract, negative
charges are attracted to the top pulley and are
carried on the downward travel of the belt. The
sum of the charges coming up the belt and those
going down the belt represent the total charging
current. A collector brush placed over the top
pulley collects positive charges and directs them
to the terminal where they build up to a high
potential. This voltage increases to a point where
sparkover or discharges occur at the lower edge
of the sphere where the smallest radius exists.
By placing a round metal object like a kitchen
176
ladle near the sphere (Fig. 1), discharges up to
about 3 in. in length can be obtained.
Relative humidity is also a factor in the oper-
ation of all electrostatic machines. When the
humidity is high, leakage occurs along the belt,
down the insulating column, and small charges
leak off to the moist atmosphere from the termi-
nal, all of which prevent the development of
maximum voltage. In addition, high humidity
prevents the formation of the necessary charges
at the pulleys. Under such conditions, moisture
may be removed by directing warm air from a
portable electric hair dryer on the parts under
the base. The generator works best when the
room humidity is about 30% or lower.
Building the Generator. You may purchase the
materials called for in the materials list sep-
arately and make the parts or, purchase the
parts in kit form made up from this article for
$27.95 postage paid.
If you are going to make up the parts your-
self, start with the base, which is a Wearever
#2702 aluminum baking pan. First lay out the
template (Fig. 7A) full size on lightweight card-
board and cut it out around the inner and outer
circles. Place the template on the outside of the
pan bottom, center it and fasten with tape. With
a scratch awl mark the center hole and center-
punch the location of the bolt holes. Then cut
out the 2-1/4in. dia. center hole with a fly cutter
chucked in a drill press or use a fine-toothed,
metal cutting blade in a coping saw. Or, use a
Greenlee chassis punch, 2-1/4in. When drilling
the small holes, backup the pan bottom with
a block of wood. Also drill holes in the side of
the pan for the switch and cord grommet as in
Fig. 8.
Next turn the column retaining ring (Fig. 7B)
SCIENCE AND MECHANICS
 Locating center of pulley, held in lathe 3-jaw Fastening base to wooden ring pressed on lower
Chuck, with center drill held in tallstock chuck. end of column. Note that motor plate is held with
one sciew driven into wooden ring.
from hardwood (birch, maple or walnut) or birch
plywood making the 2-1/4in. dia. hole in the ring slightly with a file before pressing on the pulley.
a tight press fit on the column. If you use a Now, place the upper pulley with shaft into the
shank end of a Boye #10 metal crochet needle slots, which serve as bearings, at the top end of
for the top pulley shaft as we did (Fig. 7C), the column and center the pulley in the column.
drill two holes with a #31 drill diametrically Then measure and cut two short lengths of Bake-
opposite one another through the top of the lite tubing to act as spacers on each side of the
column as in Fig. 6. If 1/8-in. drill rod is used pulley as in Fig. 6.
for the shaft, drill the holes with a 1/8-in. drill. Your next step is to assemble the column to
Then, with a hacksaw, cut down to drilled holes the base. First press the previously made retain-
to form U-slots in which the shaft will fit freely. ing ring over the lower end of the column so
Also drill and tap a 4-40 hole 1 in. from the that 3/16 in. of the column projects beyond the
end of the column for the brush bracket. (Fig. 6). ring. Then insert this projecting end of the
The holes for the shafts in upper and lower column through the hole in the base and line
pulleys, which are made from 1-1/2in. lengths of up top pulley centerline or slots at the top of
7/8-in. dia. Lucite, must be drilled concentric and the column with the pulley centerline marked on
in the exact center of the pulleys. Probably the template. Fasten the column to the base with
the best way to do this is to chuck it in a lathe #5 x 1/2-in. rd wood screws as in Fig. 10. Drill
as in Fig. 9. Start the hole with a center drill pilot holes for the screws in the retaining ring
and then drill through with to avoid splitting it.
a #32 twist drill for a After making the motor
press fit with the shaft. base plate and brackets
When drilling Lucite, use a (Figs. 7E and F), press the
lathe speed of about 500- lower pulley on the motor
600 rpm's and withdraw shaft. Line up the motor
drill frequently to remove together with its mounting
chips. Otherwise, the heat bracket and baseplate with
developed may soften the the holes drilled in the
Lucite which will cause the base. Check to see that the
drill to bind, and produce lower pulley centers over
a hole having scored side inside of column tube (Fig.
walls. Lubricate drill with 6) and lines up with top
soap and water to produce pulley. Wrap face of lower
a smooth, clean hole. When pulley with polyethylene
drilling lower pulley (Fig. tape (Fig. 7D).
7D), make a press-fit size After bolting the motor
hole with the motor shaft, in place, wire it to a line
using two drill sizes if mo- cord and SP toggle switch
tor shaft is of two-step di- as in Fig. 6.
ameter. The rubber belt can be
Do not hammer pulleys purchased from Forest
on the shafts. Instead, place Products or made from a
pulley and shaft between l-7/16 x 22in. strip cut from
vise jaws or an arbor press a Davol latex leg bandage.
and press shaft through the Cut the ends at about a 30
pulley for a snug fit. Round deg. angle and lightly sand
off the ends of the shafts about 1/4 in. at each end for

FEBRUARY, 1958 177

 Pinwheel rotates at high speed by unseen force when
held over the sphere of the electrostatic generator.

lapping. Coat the ends with Pliobond cement,

press them together and allow to dry.
The upper pulley must now be covered with
heavy-duty, household aluminum foil. Cut a piece
of foil the width of the pulley and long enough
to wrap around it and lap about 1/16 in. Apply
a coat of Pliobond to both the pulley and one side
of the foil and carefully wrap the foil around the
pulley. Press lower half of sphere on column end
down to where its turned-up edge is about 2-1/4in.
from top end of column. To install the belt, place
it around the upper pulley, feed it down through
the column and drop the upper pulley in place
in the slot bearings. Then with a piece of wire
bent L-shaped, pull the belt through the bottom
of the column and around lower pulley. Apply
a trace of light grease under upper pulley shaft
at each bearing.
It is necessary that the belt remain approxi-
mately centered on the pulleys while the motor
is running. Turn the motor pulley by hand first
and note whether the belt has a tendency to run
off the pulleys. If not, turn on the motor and
check the belt for proper tracking again. If the
belt runs off to any extent, it indicates that the
upper and lower pulley shafts are not parallel
to one another. Shifting the motor to right or
left will correct side misalignment and placing
thin cardboard or metal shim stock under the
motor bracket will correct shaft misalignment.
Make the lower or ground brush bracket (Fig.
7G) and fasten a 1/2 x l-1/4-in. piece of bronze
window screening to it with two 4-40 screws. The
screen should project 1/8 in. beyond the edge of
the bracket. Fasten the bracket to the inside of
the base at the up-going side of the belt with
one 8-32 screw (Fig. 6). Then adjust the bracket
by bending or moving it along its slot so that
ends of the screen brush are fairly close (about
1/32 to 1/16in.) to the belt but not touching it

SCIENCE AND MECHANICS

178
when the lapped joint comes around.
Make the bracket for the upper or collector
brush from copper wire as in Fig. 7H. Wrap the
bronze screening for the brush around the wire
and solder. Fasten bracket and a 2-1/4-in. length
of #18 copper wire to the column with a 4-40
screw in the previously tapped hole. To keep the
lower half of the sphere in place on the column
and #18 wire in contact with the sphere, wrap
two turns of #33 plastic tape tightly around the
column and turned-up edge of the sphere as in
Fig. 6. Placing the top half of the sphere on the
lower half completes the generator.
Servicing the generator is limited to keeping the
sphere and column smooth and clean of dirt
which cause tiny corona point discharges and
prevent the voltage from building up to its maxi-
mum. Occasionally, apply a bit of grease to the
upper pulley shaft bearings. After considerable
use, remove the belt and wash it with a house-
hold detergent. Wipe the surfaces of the pulleys
at the same time. Thoroughly dry the belt be-
fore assembling. Also check the brush-to-belt
clearance and adjust to within 1/32 to 1/16in. gap.
If necessary, when starting generator use a hair
dryer to dry out working parts.
Using the Generator with Accessories You Can
Make. For obtaining electrical discharges you
will need an electrode, and a round-bowl, metal
kitchen ladle is ideal for this, Although the ladle
can be simply held by hand to draw off a charge,
it's a good idea to ground the handle of the ladle
to the generator base with a wire lead to avoid
a shock. The shock, however, would be quite
harmless. The ladle can also be attached to the
generator with a clamping ring. Make the ring
(Fig. 11B), and a new handle for the ladle as
in Fig 11A and clamp it to the column retaining
ring as in Fig. 1. The length of the spark or
discharge can then be varied by moving the
ladle toward or away from the aluminum sphere.
The rotation of the pinwheel shown in Fig.
12 is due to the "electric wind" effect produced
by corona point discharge at the pointed tips of
the rotor. Make the accessory parts as in Fig. 13.
The electric plume (Fig. 14) is an interesting
experiment because it demonstrates the effects
of repulsion. With the machine running, the
strips become positively charged the same as the

FEBRUARY, 1958 179

terminal or sphere and,
since like charges repel,
the free ends of the
strips are thrown out-
ward. When the machine
is turned off, the strips
will remain in their re-
pelled position as long
as the terminal retains
its charge. If you hold
your finger over the
plume, as in Fig. 15, the
strips will first be at-
tracted to your finger
since it has a normal
negative charge. How-
ever, upon contact with Left, Force of repulsion is demonstrated by electric plume experiment. Flexible
your finger, the strips paper strips taped to sphere are repelled as though made of rigid material.
will receive a negative Right, When you hold your linger over the plume, the paper strips will first be
attracted to your finger since it has a normal negative charge. When you touch
charge and be repelled a strip with your finger, the strip will receive a negative charge and drop
back to the sphere. When back on the sphere.
setting up this experiment, cut the
strips from facial tissue and fasten
one end of each strip to the sphere
with cellophane tape.
Much heavier discharges can be
obtained from this Van de Graaff
generator by adding a Leyden Jar
capacitor made as shown in Fig. 16A.
Connect the bared end of a length of
heavy plastic insulated wire to the
sphere with modeling clay and let
the other end of the wire touch the
foil on the inside of the Leyden Jar.
Set the spark gap electrode about
one inch or so from the sphere and
turn on the machine. After a charge
builds up in the Leyden Jar, a heavy
spark jumps between sphere and
electrode.
Insulated wire can also be used as a capacitor. would jump between it and the sphere. After a
Fasten the two bared ends on a length of very few seconds a sudden lightning-like bolt jumped
high voltage plastic insulated wire to the sphere from the lower sphere edge to the clamping ring
with modeling clay and wrap the looped end (Fig. 4), a distance of about 10 in.!
around the base of the generator as in Fig. 16B. Building the generator as described results in
A noisy discharge, 2 in. or more in length will a positive terminal. To obtain a negative terminal,
result. Any breakdown will be to the base as the apply the plastic tape to the top pulley and
dielectric fails and little spark will result. the aluminum foil to the lower pulley.
The wire capacitor giving the best results in For a good practical use, the Van de Graaff
our experiments was made from a piece of very generator can be set up as an ozone generator.
high voltage wire taken from the core of a co- Place the unit in a room with stale air caused
axial cable found in a surplus store. It has very by tobacco smoke or cooking odors and adjust
hard plastic insulation about 3/16 in. thick around the spark gap for about a 2 or 2-1/2-in. spark. Turn
a stranded conductor of about #14 gage. The on the motor and in a short time you will notice
looped end was placed around the base as in Fig. the clean smell of ozone, much like that caused
16C. The bared ends were soldered to a piece by lightning after a summer thunderstorm.
of copper and fastened to the sphere with #33 Ozone combines with odors and destroys them.
plastic tape covering all bare areas. Then a large
lump of modeling clay (Fig. 3) was placed over
the taped ends to minimize corona leakage which
would have prevented maximum voltage. The
6 in. spark. (Fig. 3) and very noisy 3 in. dis-
charge (Fig. 2) were obtained with this capacitor.
The electrode was then swung down so no arc

180 SCIENCE AND MECHANICS