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Van de Graaff generator
A Van de Graaff generator can produce extremely high potential differences (voltages). A small school version can pump a huge charge onto the top dome so that the potential difference between the dome and the earth can be 200 000 volts yet the total charge is so tiny that you only receive a small shock when you touch it. This makes possible dramatic demonstration experiments which convey important ideas about charges and currents.
Experiments
Related Guidance
Updated 8 Apr 2008
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