Foeskes - 6-6-2018 at 07:04
So I'm planning on making a voltage multiplier and a van de graff generator.
After doing some research apparently you can swap some components and make the topload either positively charged or negatively charged.
I couldn't find out what difference can that make, such as spark length and things you can do like making ionic wind.
Σldritch - 6-6-2018 at 09:00
Your anode will ionize the air if the voltage is high enough and cause the ions to fly towards your cathode. I think it happens at the cathode too but
to a smaller degree.
See corona discharge on wikipedia, as for spark gap you should be able to get a spark further away if you use pointed wires as they create more
conductive corona.
Im not sure what determines the polarity of a voltage multiplier but i guess it is just the type of diode you use. Or is it which part of the AC that
enters first?
Foeskes - 6-6-2018 at 14:50
It's the direction of the diode. Some people mention that they notice that negative devices make longer sparks though.
Heavy Walter - 7-6-2018 at 09:32
Google "Lichtenberg figures and polarity".