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The large-radius sphere of a Van de Graff generator holds considerable charge before arc discharge occurs. The Van de Graff generator gathers negative charges and it is released into your body when you touch the sphere. We all know that negatives repel each other so since your hair is charged with negative electrons, they break away from each other (not lie flat on your head) in an effort to repel.

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Q: Why does your hair stand up when touching a charged Van de Graaff generator?
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Related questions

What are facts about the Van de Graaff generator?

They are used to make peoples hair stand up on their head.


What does vande graff generator do?

A Van de Graaff generator is an electrostatic generator which uses a moving belt to accumulate very high electrostatically stable voltages on a hollow metal globe on the top of the stand.


How does the Van De Graaff generator works?

A large rubber band spins, rubbing on a metallic dome. some electrons are transfered from the band to the dome, acting as static electricity. When, say Steve, touches the dome the charged particles will leap to him. Steve will experience a static shock.


How do make static electricity?

Static electricity can be generated by a thing called a Van De Graff generator.A Van de Graaff generator is an electrostatic generator which uses a moving belt to accumulate very high electrostatically stable voltages on a hollow metal globe on the top of the stand. Invented in 1929 by American physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff, the potential differences achieved in modern Van de Graaff generators can reach 5 megavolts (courtesy of wikipedia) See the Related Links Below for more details.


What apparatus found in science labs can cause your hair to stand on end?

The effect can be caused by a Van de Graaff generator which causes static electricity to build up to enormous voltages. They are demonstrated a many science museums.


Why do you have to stand on a mat when touching a charged van der graaf generator?

The mat acts as an insulator. If the mat was not there then the electricity flowing into you will go right into the ground, therefore having no effect to you. Since you are standing on the mat, less electricity goes through the ground, and the electricity gets trapped on you and your hair starts flying due to the repelling forces of same charges.


What is a good sentence with the word generator in it?

The generator provides electricity for Timmy's hot dog stand


Why does the hair on a person's head will stand up when the lightning strike occurs nearby?

Because of static electricity. The bottom of the storm cloud is negatively charged and the ground (which you are standing on) is positively charged, so the static dishcharge( movement of static charge from one place to another) occurs. Like charges repel, unlike charges attract!


Why the crows are not getting electric shock while they stand on electric line?

The birds are only touching one wire and not touching any thing that provides a return path for the current back to the generator. There is a procedure for people to work on energized high voltage lines from a helicopter without getting shocked because they are only touching one wire, so there is no return path available through the person.


What does GEN stand for on the message center of an 1997 dodge B2500 van?

The generator ( alternator ) is not charging properly.The generator ( alternator ) is not charging properly.


What is the machine when your hair stand on end's?

a van de graff generator


Was Michael Jackson's doctor charged?

Yes, he has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and will stand trial.