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Van de Graff Generator- The purpose of the Van de Graff Generator is to deposit a very large amount of positive electrical charge onto the metal collector dome. This massive volume of positive electrical charge produces the spectacular display of lightning and other phenomena.When two insulators are rubbed together, one looses electrons to the other and becomes electrically positive. It has aquired positive electrical positive. It has aquired positive electrical charges. The other insulator, having gained excess electrons becomes electrically negative. These charges are static because they do not move on their own. When you walk on a carpet in a dry room with dry feet you deposit a large amount of electrical charge on your body. The impact is felt when you touch a doorknob.
The van de Graff Generator uses a plastic pulley in the machine attached to an electric motor. A rubber belt passes over the pulley. As the pulley turns, rubbing occurs and the pulley aquires a negative charge while the inside of the belt aquires an equal amount of positive charge. The positive charge is directed to the metal dome.