This week, Year 7 have been learning all about static electricity in their Science lessons using the Van de Graaff generator. So how does it work? Inside the Van de Graaff generator, there is a rubber band and rollers. As they are electrically insulated, when the motor turns they rub together and electrons are 'knocked' off causing a positive charge. In order to try and reach an equilibrium, electrons from the dome (and anything touching it) move to the positively charged rubber band causing it to slowly gain a positive charge. As like charges repel, and hair is very light, they will try and get as far away from each other as possible, causing them to stand up.