SciHawks

Physics- we demonstrated the wonders of the Van der Graaf generator, a device that generates a large quantity of electrons on the surface of a spherical conductor. As we were in contact with the device, electrons were transferred from a silk belt to the conducting sphere, and then to our bodies. As the electrons accumulated all over our bodies, the now negatively charged hairs on our head repel each other, thus the haris "stick out".  We also saw that, even though dry (not moist with water) air is a poor conductor of electricity, when a large quantity of charge builds up on a surface, it can ionize the air as the electrons travel to the ground or a piece of metal nearby; we see this as a large spark or lightning bolt through the air.