Why Does Hair Stand Up When Touching a Van der Graaf Generator?

[Idrees]

Why does your hair stand out when you touch the the van der graaf generator ?? What controls the direction of the hair

 

[berkeman]

Why does your hair stand out when you touch the the van der graaf generator ?? What controls the direction of the hair

Well, since this is a homework/coursework question, we can't just give you the answer. But maybe we can give you a hint or two to help you figure it out yourself.

What is the equation that relates the force F on a charged particle Q in terms of its charge and the value of an electric field E that the particle is sitting in? What makes electric field?

 

[kerimek]

?

When you touch a van der Graaf generator, you are essentially creating a static electric charge on your body. This charge interacts with the electric field created by the generator, causing your hair to stand out. This is known as the "Coulomb force" and is a result of the attraction and repulsion of electric charges.

The direction of the hair is controlled by the electric field of the van der Graaf generator. The electric field is strongest at the tips of the hair, causing them to repel each other and stand out. The direction of the hair is also affected by the shape and texture of the hair, as well as external factors such as humidity and the strength of the electric field. This phenomenon is a demonstration of the principles of electrostatics and can be further explored through experiments with different materials and settings on the generator.