http://www.alaska.net/~natnkell/staticgen.htm
“An electrostatic generator, or electrostatic machine, is a mechanical device that produces static electricity, or electricity at high voltage and low continuous current. The knowledge of static electricity dates back to the earliest civilizations, but for millennia it remained merely an interesting and mystifying phenomenon, without a theory to explain its behavior and often confused with magnetism. By the end of the 17th Century, researchers had developed practical means of generating electricity by friction, but the development of electrostatic machines did not begin in earnest until the 18th century, when they became fundamental instruments in the studies about the new science of electricity. Electrostatic generators operate by using manual (or other) power to transform mechanical work into electric energy. They develop electrostatic charges of opposite signs rendered to two conductors, using only electric forces. They work by using moving plates, drums, or belts to carry electric charge to a high potential electrode. The charge is generated by one of two methods: either the triboelectric effect (friction) or electrostatic induction.”
The man that came into the class to show us the static electricity experiment was so cool! he was really interesting the way he showed us the way it works. i thought it was amazing how you can transfer the electrcity through a rod attached to the static through your body to light a light you are holding with a different hand. I completely understand it however because I know how things can effect your body very easily. Like even holding a fake sugar packet (like sweet n low) can throw your body off balance completely, not even hanving it in your body.
Even holding your cellphone or having it close to you like in your pocket can negatively effect your body or standing next to your microwave while its on gives off a very low dose of radiation but it is still giving off radiation! everything having to do with electricity has to do with it! so this class freaked me out a little bit being so close and exposed to to the radiation of static electricity.
I believe i am a hypochondriac when it comes to things negatively effecting your body however id rather be paranoid than be sorry i wasnt safe. I am very happy about how electricity is all covered nowadays instead of it being out in the open like what the man brought to class because that would be giving off a lot more radiation than than the units of running electricity now.
I always wonder it energy and electricity would be better conserved it it were used indiviudally in every building instead of having nuclear power plants conducting a large amount of electricity to a very large group of people, would it be safer or less safe? I know being furthur away from any kind of radiation is better for the individual however if it were easier and more stable, could there be smaller more managable less expensive sources of energy.