Explanation of how a Van de Graaff generator works, with a demonstration of making one manually.

Charge placed on a hollow conductor will be distributed only on the outside surface. Demonstration using a metal paint can that there is no electric field inside a charged hollow conductor. Electric shielding is defined.

Using a paint can to show that a hollow conductor in an electric field has charge distributed on the outside but no charge on the inside surface. Bringing a radio into a giant Faraday cage to demonstrate electric shielding. Getting inside a charged Faraday cage to show there is no charge on the inside surface.

Charging up a metal cooking pot to show that there is higher charge density where the curvature is greater on a conductor.

Repositioning the components of the Kelvin Water Dropper to demonstrate other interesting behavior.

Creating sparks and corona discharge by holding a conducting sphere, a conducting point, and tinsel near the Van de Graaff generator.

How corona discharge may have caused the Hindenburg disaster. How Napoleon used a gun to test for marsh gas in Egypt, with a demonstration.

Starting to charge a large capacitor to a potential difference of 3000V.

Explanation of the concepts behind a camera flash, with a demonstration using several capacitors and a light bulb.

After 15 minutes of charging, the capacitor is quickly discharged over a fuse with impressive results.

Using an actual parallel plate capacitor to show that positive work must be done to increase the distance between the two plates.

The effects of increasing the separation between the plates of a capacitor.

The effects of increasing the separation between the plates of a capacitor that is still connected to a power supply.

Definition and demonstration of a Leyden Jar.

Demonstration of the Leyden Jar, with explanation of the physics behind the unexpected result.

The effects of inserting a dielectric between the plates of a capacitor.

The effects of inserting a dielectric between the plates of a capacitor that is still connected to a power supply.

Definition and demonstration of a Leyden Jar.

Demonstration of the Leyden Jar, with explanation of the physics behind the unexpected result.