For the budding scientists

[ffutures]

My brother in law is buying one of these for one of the grand-nephews.

https://extkits.co.uk/product/mini-van-de-graaff-generator/

So tempted to get one to play with myself, but I have too many electronic devices around!

Comments

[kedamono]

At least he's not getting them a tesla coil to play around with!

http://onetesla.com

[dormouse1953]

When I was about ten, I read a book from the library which had instructions for building your own, using things like metal bread tins and whatever electric motor you could get your hands on. I didn't try. (I think this book also showed you how to build your own atomic pile. It relied on gas mantles being impregnated with thorium, which is mildly radioactive.)

[ffutures]

Too right. He's 11, I think electrocution can wait a few years...

[ffutures]

You can make a fairly impressive high voltage static electricity generator out of a few metal cans, some wire, and a water supply - using the surface charge on water droplets to build up voltage. The maximum voltage is a bit lower than a Van de Graaaf generator as I recall. You don't see them much in schools because the explanation is a bit more complicated than a Van de Graaaf, and they're a little messy, but it does work.

I made a radon generator from a gas mantle in my early years as a technician, but I think they stopped selling them a couple of years later.