Chapter 7: Electricity and Magnetism

Activity 7.5 (pg 148)

Aim: To study the relationship between electrical charges and electrical current
Apparatus: Van de Graff generator, galvanometer, crocodile clip, electroscope and
connecting wires.
Procedure:

Diagram 7.4
1. Apparatus is arranged as in diagram 7.4.
2. The Van de Graff generator is switched on for a few minutes and the metal plate of the
electroscope is brought close to the dome of the Van de Graff generator. The observation
is recorded.
3. Then, the crocodile clip is connected to the Van de Graff generator and the pointer of
the galvanometer observed.
Observation:
1. Gold leaf of electroscope diverges when the metal plate is brought closer to the dome
of Van de Graff generator.
2. The pointer of the galvanometer deflects when dome is connected to the Earth.
Discussion:
1. When the switch is switched on, the dome of the Van de Graff generator produces
positive charges.
2. The divergent gold leaf shows the existence of charges on the dome of the Van de Graff
generator.
3. The movement of the needle in the galvanometer shows the presence of charges flowing
from the dome of the Van de Graff generator to the Earth.
Conclusion:
The galvanometer is used to defect the flow of charges or electric current. The electric current
is actually the flow of electrical charges.