Van de Graaff generator

[ van duh graf jen-uh-rey-ter ]

noun

, Physics, Electricity.

1. a device for producing high-voltage static electricity.

Van de Graaff generator

/ ˈvæn də ˌɡrɑːf /

noun

1. 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

Van de Graaff generator

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Van de Graaff generator¹

1935–40; named after R. J. Van de Graaff (1901–66), American physicist

Word History and Origins

Origin of Van de Graaff generator¹

C20: named after R. J. Van de Graaff (1901–67), US physicist

Example Sentences

The contraption was a huge Van de Graaff generator of the sort you can see throwing off sparks and raising hair at science museums.

From Washington Post

Juliet did try to Van de Graaff generator, which is a silver sphere that generates static electricity.

From Washington Times

In the display, the scale model of the 65-foot Van de Graaff generator looks as it did when it began operations in 1937.

From Washington Times

Rabkin rattled off a few in particular including their Van de Graaff generator, which incidentally is vividly seared into this Boston-raised science writer’s childhood memories.

From Scientific American

Perception problems ... a student touches a Van de Graaff generator.

From The Guardian