Chapter 10, Problem 6RAT

You can touch and discharge a $10,000\text{-V}$ Van de Graaff generator with little harm because, although the voltage is high, there is relatively little

(a) resistance.

(b) energy.

(c) grounding.

(d) All of these.

(e) None of these.

To determine

The correct option for the statement “You can touch and discharge a $10,000\text{-V}$

Van de Graff generator with little harm because, although the voltage is high, there is relatively little”.

Answer to Problem 6RAT

The correct option for the statement “You can touch and discharge a $10,000\text{-V}$

Van de Graff generator with little harm because, although the voltage is high, there is relatively little” is option (c).

Explanation of Solution

Van de Graff generator is used to produce static electricity, as a person rubbing his hands and produce charges due to heat produced by the friction between hands.

The static electricity produced by this device is stored in some metallic ball that contains electrons, so if someone touches it with his/her feet on insulation bed, then his hair stands up. Because the free electrons collected inside the body as there is no grounding and repel each other and flow out the body through the hair of the body.

If there is grounding, then Van de Graaff generator can be dangerous to human and a person can get a huge electric shock. So, with very less grounding, one can touch and enjoy the miracle of static electricity.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the correct option for the statement “You can touch and discharge a $10,000\text{-V}$

Van de Graff generator with little harm because, although the voltage is high, there is relatively little” is option (c).