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Explore lightning and storm safety as the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator hurls indoor bolts.
In this exciting and popular live presentation, our educators explore the science behind the storm. With the help of our Van de Graaff generator, they explain what lightning is (as well as its ever-present sidekick, thunder), how to stay safe in a storm (and why your car is such a good place to be), and how magnetism and electricity are related. In the Theater of Electricity, when the lights go down, the lightning comes up.
Explore lightning and storm safety as the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator hurls indoor bolts.
In this exciting and popular live presentation, our educators explore the science behind the storm. With the help of our Van de Graaff generator, they explain what lightning is (as well as its ever-present sidekick, thunder), how to stay safe in a storm (and why your car is such a good place to be), and how magnetism and electricity are related. In the Theater of Electricity, when the lights go down, the lightning comes up.
Included with Exhibit Halls admission.
Capacity for this presentation is limited, so we encourage you to arrive early. Please note: At this time, we will not be able to accommodate late seating.
Theater of Electricity, Museum Map
Recommended for: Grades 3 – 12 and adults
Show length: 20 minutes
Please see our Daily Schedule for show times.
Part science lab and part performance space, this fascinating theater contains the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator, capable of producing massive indoor lightning bolts for explorations of lightning, conductors, insulators, storm safety, and electromagnetic force.
In the Theater of Electricity there are Telsa coils that produce about half a million volts. Invented Nikola Tesla 1891 to study high-voltage, high frequency alternating current electricity, Tesla coils have no moving parts. They rely on moving charges and changing magnetic forces. Educators used them to create awesome displays of high voltage.
Those two ball-topped columns in the Theater of Electricity are the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator. It routinely generates charges of a million volts, which are discharged as bolts of lightning. Originally built in 1932 as an atom smasher by Dr. Robert Van de Graaff, today it puts on a powerful display under the guidance of our intrepid educators.
Need more information for an upcoming field trip? Want to see how this exhibit can complement your curriculum? Check out our additional resources to help plan your visit.
