Van de Graaff Generator – A Cost Effective Solution

A Van de Graaff generator is an electrostatic-accelerator that is used for scientific experiments to get high voltages in less time with a high safety factor. The generated charges are used to speed up subatomic particles. Very high voltages up to the order of 5 Mega Volts can be generated by using it. One can easily perform experiments on this generator without having any sort of severe shock. This device is commonly used in physics and high voltage laboratory, to get high electrostatic charges, to perform various experiments. But due to its high price most of the institutes, especially in the developing countries, cannot afford this device. This study presents a solution to the problem by proposing a very economical design of Van de Graaff generator. Easily available materials are used to produce a low-price device. The measurements are taken between time and voltage at different motor speeds. The relationships have been derived in graphical form between certain parameters. The proposed design is verified by validating the results by comparing to the standards. The proposed design is a step forward towards a feasible instrument that can be adopted on a wide scale for the educational and the research purposes.