Physics & Astronomy

Lighting a Fluorescent with an Electric Field (VdG)

Purpose
To show that the electric field from a Van de Graaff generator can light a fluorescent light bulb without contact.
Location
Room 146; Van de Graaff shelf L1, fluorescent bulb shelf L3
Description
This demo is very straight forward, showing that the electric field exists in the space around the dome and causes electric charge to flow in the fluorescent bulb. Can be done together with the �Killing an Electric Field with a Needle� demo. (Needle in suction cup is on shelf L3 also.)