Question

It is possible to make a fluorescent light bulb turn on by holding it near the van de Graaff generator. In what orientation should you hold the light: with one end close and the other end pointing directly away from the generator or with the middle closest and the two ends about the same distance away? Hint: Consider the generator to be a point charge and think about the potential difference between the two ends of the bulb. Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The Answer is YES. When a fluorescent light tube approaches the negatively charged generator, the electrons on the generator flow through the tube and the person holding it. Flowing electrons result in an electrical current, lighting up the light tube. It doesn't take very much current to light a fluorescent bulb!

Its always better to hold the light: with one end close and the other end pointing directly away from the generator so that it creates a sort of potential difference between both ends and electron flow through the tube to light it up.