A recently acquired Acculab VIC 10KG digital scale (10,100 grams) with +/- 1.0 gram resolution and a Science First model 10-060 (200 KV) Van de Graaff generator which specifies a "Positively Charged Sphere", with a how it works explanation, makes for some interesting endeavors.
Setting the VDG on the scale (sitting on a throw rug on a carpeted floor) shows a weight of 1509 grams. When the VDG is running the weight increases to 1512 grams, and when a ~ 2 ft square aluminum sheet is held flat about 4 inches above the globe the reading drops to 1490 grams until it sparks through me and goes back up to 1511 grams. It seems like the whole room is electrified along with the smell of ozone. I had planned set it on the scale with it sitting atop an aluminum foil sheet laying on a 3 inch thick Styrofoam plank and using a bank of D batteries feeding an inverter feeding the scale and VDG so it can "pump" electrons between the globe and the foil so that there wouldn't' be any net charge on the setup wrt ground, and watching for weight change when a grounded sheet of aluminum foil is held above the globe. However... suggestions??? Fred
