Van de Graaff generator

[ van duh graf ]
/ ˈvæn də ˌgræf /

noun Physics, Electricity.

a device for producing high-voltage static electricity.
Also called electrostatic generator.

Origin of Van de Graaff generator

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

British Dictionary definitions for van de graaff generator

Van de Graaff generator
/ (ˈvæn də ˌɡrɑːf) /

noun

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

Word Origin for Van de Graaff generator

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

Scientific definitions for van de graaff generator

Van de Graaff generator

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.