======Van de Graaff with Fluorescent Bulb======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Electrostatic Discharge and Fluorescent Light
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Turn on the Van de Graaff generator and allow charge to accumulate on the dome.  
  - Hold a fluorescent bulb by its center and carefully bring one end near the dome.  
  - Observe flickering or glowing inside the bulb as the electric field excites the gas.  
  - When finished, discharge the Van de Graaff using the grounding rod before turning it off.



====Links==== 
Van de Graaff generator versus fluorescent lights & spectral tubes - AHC Electricity & Magnetism: 
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📄 Van de Graaff with Fluorescent Bulb - Iowa State University: [[https://learning.physics.iastate.edu/van-de-graaff-fluorescent-bulb]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try bulbs of different sizes (compact vs. long tube) to compare brightness.  
  * Place the bulb in contact with the dome versus holding it a few centimeters away to compare effects. 
  * Demonstrate in a darkened room for better visibility.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Always discharge the Van de Graaff with the grounding rod before touching or turning off.  
  * Hold the fluorescent bulb by the insulated middle section—avoid touching metal ends near the dome.  
  * Do not use around sensitive electronics or students with pacemakers.  
  * Warn students about possible startling flickers or sparks.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the bulb flicker even without being plugged in?  
  * How does the Van de Graaff’s electric field excite the gas in the bulb?  
  * Why is the effect stronger near the dome than farther away?  
  * What similarities exist between this demonstration and how lightning excites gases in the atmosphere?  
  * How does this relate to how fluorescent lamps work in everyday life?