STATIC PRECIPITATORS SCIENCE MODULE
PURPOSE
Show students how static precipitators work to keep the air clean.
MATERIALS
• Van de Graff generator with popcorn chamber
SETUP
Setup Van de Graff generator for use. Be aware that although the generator is safe and will not hurt you an inadvertent shock can surprise and startle you.
METHOD
Start van de Graff generator, explain operation. A large number of electrons are manually removed from the rubber band and stored on the large smooth sphere, if there were any sharp edges the charge would concentrate there and bleed off into the air.
Bring popcorn chamber near sphere and watch pellets move back and forth where they pick up charge then move across chamber to drop charge.
DISCUSSION
In a static precipitation dust particle is given a charge (ionized) it is then attracted to a charged plate where it is removed by water or other methods. Many industrial processes create a lot of dust. Static precipitators can remove the dust before it gets into the environment.
Further experiments flour onto a balloon
Note: For this module we are using the Van de Graff generator as a scientific tool not a toy! If you want to use it as a tool turn it off now. If you want to show all the neat things a Van de Graff can do (as a toy) keep going and have fun, but if your focus is on static precipitation quit while the experiment is still fresh.
