VAN DE GRAAFF

GENERATOR
Introduction
◦ A Van de Graaff generator is an electrostatic generator which
uses a moving belt to accumulate electric charge on a hollow
metal globe on the top of an insulated column, creating very
high electric potential.
◦ The Van de Graaff generator was developed as a particle
accelerator for physics research; its high potential is used to
accelerate subatomic particles to great speeds in an evacuated
tube. It was the most powerful type of accelerator of the 1930s
until the cyclotron was developed.
Construction
◦ Van de graaf generator consists of a hollow
metallic sphere(1) mounted on two insulated
supporting columns. An endless belt of an
insulating material is mounted on rollers 3 & 6
respectively touching the belt. The lower
electrode is called spray comb, while upper
electrode is called collecting comb.
◦ The positive charge to be accelerated are
produced in a discharged. The ion source lies
at the head of the tube in the sphere. Target
is at the other end of the tube is earthed.
 Working
Let us consider a large spherical shell of radius R. If we place a charge of magnitude Q on such a sphere,
the charge will spread uniformly over the surface of the sphere. The electric field inside the sphere is
zero, and that outside the sphere is due to the charge Q at the center of the sphere. So, the potential
outside is that of a point charge; and inside it is constant. We, thus, have:

Potential inside conducting spherical shell of radius R carrying charge Q = constant and is as follows

Let us place a small sphere at the center of the large one such that the radius of the smaller sphere is r
and the charge over its surface is q. At the surface of the small sphere:

At the large spherical shell of radius R:

If we consider the total charges in the system, that is, q and Q, then the total potential energy due to
the system of charges
Uses

It is used to accelerate
projectiles like protons,
It is used to create a high
deuterons etc. which hit the It is used to study collision in Such beams are used for
potential of a range of few
target with large kinetic physics. treatment of cancer.
millions volts.
energy and bring about
artificial transmutation.