27 January 2016
Our Van der Graaf generator was in use today with Year 8 Scholars doing their electrostatics revision. Annabel and Claire demonstrated the machine, showing how you could make sparks fly between the dome and earthing rod, light a bulb with the charge generated and repel metal tart cases, before offering those brave enough the chance to make their hair stand on end.
We repeated the demonstration in Junior Science Club after exploring electrostatic charge with balloons by rubbing them on jumpers – then the boys could bend water, pick up punch confetti and stick the balloons to the wall too.