Van de Graaff generator
- noun
- /ˈvæn də ˈɡræf ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtər/
- Specialized
:
generador de Van de Graaff
- The science teacher demonstrated how the Van de Graaff generator works by showing how it can generate static electricity.
Examples
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During the physics demonstration, the Van de Graaff generator created sparks that amazed the students.
-
The other thing I wanted to do was the Van de Graaff generator.
Blog text (14) -
He built a Van de Graaff generator to illustrate the principles of static electricity in his science project.
Synonyms
A machine that makes strong static electricity and can produce sparks
A machine that makes a strong electric charge by collecting static electricity
A machine with two rotating disks that makes strong static electricity and visible sparks
How Powerful
- Specialized
12
9.1
- Specialized
2
9.9
- Specialized
3
9.9
- Specialized
11
5.5
- Specialized
1
7.0
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
Van + de + Graaff + generator
The headword 'generator' clearly signals a device that produces electrical power, so a B1 learner would infer it is a kind of generator. However, 'Van de Graaff' is an eponym/proper name and gives no semantic cue about the specific high-voltage, static-belt/hollow-globe mechanism, so the full technical meaning is not derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Van de Graaff generator is named after the scientist Van de Graaff, who built a device with a moving belt and a hollow metal ball to build up static electricity so it could make sparks and make hair stand on end. So today Van de Graaff generator means 'a machine that makes very high voltage by building up static electricity'.