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Lesson Planet
This Van de Graaff Discharge interactive also includes:
Your class will definitely get a charge out of an electric interactive! Show young scientists what really happens when you place a wand near a Van de Graaff generator using a simulation. Pupils add varying amounts of negative charge to the generator, move the wand toward it, and witness the movement of charge and changes in potential energy.
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Instructional Ideas
- Demonstrate discharge with a real Van de Graaff generator, then have the class learn more using the interactive
- Group students and instruct them to design an investigation of potential energy using the resource
Classroom Considerations
- Lead a brief discussion about potential energy in electrical systems before assigning the interactive
Pros
- Includes a video showing how to embed or share the interactive as a part of a lesson plan
- The potential energy meter quickly tracks changes in PE with each added charge and as the discharge wand moves around the generator
Cons
- None