Van de Graaff generator (v n d grf )n. An electrostatic generator in which an electric charge is either removed from or transferred to a large hollow spherical electrode by a rapidly moving belt, accelerating particles to energies of about ten million electron volts. [After Robert Jemison Van de Graaff (1901-1967), American physicist.] |   |
Van de Graaff generator [ˈvæn də ˌgrɑːf]
n
(Physics / General Physics) a device for producing high electrostatic potentials (up to 15 million volts), consisting of a hollow metal sphere on which a charge is accumulated from a continuous moving belt of insulating material: used in particle accelerators
[named after R. J. Van de Graaff (1901-67), US physicist]
| Van de Graaff generator A type of electrostatic generator used to build up static electrical charge of very high voltages by transferring electric charge from a power supply to a spherical metal terminal. A high-voltage source transfers charge to a nonconducting conveyor belt, usually made of silk or rubber, which continuously redeposits the charge on the insulated metal terminal, where it accumulates. Even small Van de Graaff generators can accumulate a static charge of 100,000 volts; the largest, up to 10 million volts. |  Positive charge is transferred by a metal brush to a rotating belt, which carries the charge up to the spherical electrode where it accumulates. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Van de Graaff generator - electrical device that produces a high voltage by building up a charge of static electricityelectrical device - a device that produces or is powered by electricity electrophorus - a simple electrostatic generator that generates repeated charges of static electricity |
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