Slightly off topic- Van DeGraff Generator / other E&M experiments

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Matt Woody Meyer by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <meyerml-at-stolaf.edu>

I know at some point last week there was a discussion on the drag forces
created 
on a Van De Graff belt-motor.  I'm curious, for those who've built them...
for a 
medium size generator (let's say 5-6 feet tall) what power motor and what rpm 
settings would work well.

I am the presidient for St. Olaf's Society of Physics Students, and for our 
project next year, we are considering putting together a massive electric
show to 
present to local schools (all ages, from Kindergarten to High School).  I
figure 
that most of the demonstrations should be done with a VDG (sparks, lighting
neon 
bulbs, showing electrostatic "pull" on a nearby uncharged sphere), etc.

I have a handfull of demo ideas already, including a tesla coil, of course!
But 
any suggestions for other very impressive demonstrations would be greatly 
appreciated.  Please feel free to e-mail me directly (meyerml-at-stolaf.edu) with 
any wonderful ideas you may have.  Our current list is this:

-large Jacob's Ladder
-VDG experiments (including hair-raising with a smaller one)
-Hand-crank power generator (presentor screws in bulbs/resistors as the person 
cranks until "blackout" occurs)
-melting a wire by too much current
-discharging large capacitor through wire (much more impressive than
melting wire)
-coin crushing / can crushing
-tesla coil (grand finale, of course). :)

Thanks much again,
><>Matt

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Matt "Woody" Meyer                  St. Olaf College Physics Major

2000-2002 RSD Summer Office Assistant
2002-2003 St. Olaf SPS (Soc. Physics Students) Chapter President 
2001-2003 St. Olaf Admissions Tour Coordinator
2001-2002 Ellingson Hall Residence Life Junior Counselor
2002-2003 Larson Hall Residence Assistant
1999-2003 Sporadic Groove Association Bass Player
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