Van de Graaff generator

[ vanduh-graf jen-uh-rey-ter ]

/ ˈvæn də ˌgræf ˈdʒɛn əˌreɪ tər /

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noun Physics, Electricity.

a device for producing high-voltage static electricity.

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Also called electrostatic generator.

Origin of Van de Graaff generator

1935–40; named after R. J. Van de Graaff (1901–66), American physicist

Words nearby Van de Graaff generator

vandalic, vandalism, vandalize, Vandals, Van de Graaff, Van de Graaff generator, Vandemonian, Vandenberg, Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt, Cornelius, Van der Hum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for Van de Graaff generator

Van de Graaff generator

/ (ˈvæn də ˌɡrɑːf) /

noun

a device for producing high electrostatic potentials (up to 15 million volts), consisting of a hollow metal sphere on which a charge is accumulated from a continuous moving belt of insulating material: used in particle accelerators

Word Origin for Van de Graaff generator

C20: named after R. J. Van de Graaff (1901–67), US physicist

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for Van de Graaff generator

Van de Graaff generator

A type of electrostatic generator used to build up static electrical charge of very high voltages by transferring electric charge from a power supply to a spherical metal terminal. A high-voltage source transfers charge to a nonconducting conveyor belt, usually made of silk or rubber, which continuously redeposits the charge on the insulated metal terminal, where it accumulates. Even small Van de Graaff generators can accumulate a static charge of 100,000 volts; the largest, up to 10 million volts.