Electrostatic Charges
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Electrostatic Charges
The Van de Graaff Girls
Download film (right-click)Award Nominees , Demonstration , Explanation , Physics , Secondary
Electrostatic charges explained using a Van de Graaff Generator, a balloon, and a mad old scientist.
Director's Notes:
The film is based on GCSE Separate Science Physics lessons; concepts of electrostatics are demonstrated with the traditional Van de Graaff generator.
SciCast Notes:
Nominee: Institute of Physics Best SciCast Physics Film, 2008
Wow. Talk about confident performance. For a while I was worried this was going to be a theatrical presentation, but then there’s this crazy bit in the middle that makes it feel like a film again.
The other part that’s very well-judged is keeping the little giggle at the end, which turns a potentially cheesy moment into something rather charming.
Good film. It’s also impressive that the effects show up on camera — static electricity is notoriously fickle, and electric arcs have an annoying habit of being invisible on video tape. So good work there too.
— Jonathan