Which statement best describes the Van de Graaff generator?

Which statement best describes the Van de Graaff generator?

• A. A device that uses magnetism to generate electricity
• B. A device using chemical reactions to produce energy
• C. A device using static electricity to create interesting effects
• D. A device for converting AC to DC

Answer: (C)

At the heart of this device is electrostatics—the behavior of stationary charges. A belt moves and carries charge to a large metal sphere, building up a very high voltage with only a small amount of current. When the electric potential difference becomes large enough, charge can jump through the air as a spark, and the sphere can cause nearby hair to stand on end due to the strong electric field. This is why the best description is that it uses static electricity to create interesting effects. It’s not about magnetism or chemical energy, and it isn’t primarily converting AC to DC; its main purpose is to store static charge and produce dramatic demonstrations of electric fields.

At the heart of this device is electrostatics—the behavior of stationary charges. A belt moves and carries charge to a large metal sphere, building up a very high voltage with only a small amount of current. When the electric potential difference becomes large enough, charge can jump through the air as a spark, and the sphere can cause nearby hair to stand on end due to the strong electric field. This is why the best description is that it uses static electricity to create interesting effects. It’s not about magnetism or chemical energy, and it isn’t primarily converting AC to DC; its main purpose is to store static charge and produce dramatic demonstrations of electric fields.