FLYING FUR

EQUIPMENT
    Van de Graaff Generator
    Fur
   

NARRATIVE
            Place the fur on the discharged Van de Graaff generator. Turn on the generator. If the ground ball is moved far enough away so that discharge can't occur, the fur will fly off the generator. If the ball is brought close enough for periodic discharge, the fur will rise and fall when charging and discharging. This does not work well in high humidity. Select a student with fine, long, clean, dry hair. Have him stand on an insulated stool and place one hand on the generator sphere. Remove the ground ball and start the generator. If the humidity is not very high, the student's hair will stand up. Caution the student not to remove his hand until instructed to do so or an uncomfortable, but not dangerous, spark may result. Turn the generator off and bleed charge from the generator sphere and the student by slowly bringing a grounded point to the sphere.

Does not work well in high humidity.