Sparks Gallery Page 3

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The Van de Graaff electrostatic generator produces a high voltage static charge. The person stands on an insulated box and places one hand on top of the machine. They must stand on the box or the charge will flow from their feet to the ground and nothing will happen. When the machine is turned on, the metal ball and their body take on a strong, negative charge. As with magnets, like charges push apart. As the strands of hair all take on the same charge, they repel and stand up. Fine, straight, blond hair usually works the best. This demonstration works best on dry days.

As an electric spark moves through the air, the gas is changed into plasma, the fourth state of matter. Different plasmas glow with different colors. For example, the neon in a neon light will glow orange. Argon gives a blue glow. The air around you is mostly nitrogen, which gives off violet and ultraviolet light when energized by a spark.

Even a tiny spark produces high temperatures. As the spark passes through the air, it heats the air to over 5,000� F. This heat causes the air to expand rapidly. When this rapidly expanding wave of air hits your ear drum, you hear it as a loud noise. This is the same way in which lightning causes thunder.