Explain the construction of a Van de Graaff generator with a diagram and describe its uses.
(N/A) Construction: $A$ Van de Graaff generator consists of a large spherical conducting shell supported on an insulating column. $A$ long,narrow,endless belt made of an insulating material like rubber or silk is wound around two pulleys.
As shown in the diagram,one pulley is at the ground level and the other is at the center of the shell. The belt is kept in continuous motion by a motor driving the lower pulley.
$A$ metal brush at the ground level sprays positive charge onto the belt,which is then carried upwards by the belt.
The positive charge reaching the top is transferred to a second metal brush connected to the inner side of the shell.
Consequently,the positive charge spreads uniformly over the outer surface of the shell,creating a high potential.
In this way,a potential difference of $6$ to $8$ million volts relative to the ground can be generated.
Uses: It is used to accelerate charged particles like protons,deuterons,and alpha particles to very high energies,which are then used to probe the structure of atomic nuclei.
As shown in the diagram,one pulley is at the ground level and the other is at the center of the shell. The belt is kept in continuous motion by a motor driving the lower pulley.
$A$ metal brush at the ground level sprays positive charge onto the belt,which is then carried upwards by the belt.
The positive charge reaching the top is transferred to a second metal brush connected to the inner side of the shell.
Consequently,the positive charge spreads uniformly over the outer surface of the shell,creating a high potential.
In this way,a potential difference of $6$ to $8$ million volts relative to the ground can be generated.
Uses: It is used to accelerate charged particles like protons,deuterons,and alpha particles to very high energies,which are then used to probe the structure of atomic nuclei.
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