On May 18, 2013, at 5:08 PM, IVP wrote:

> how easy is it to make 2MV ? I don't have any recent experience
> with Leyden Jars, Wimshurst Machines or Van Der Graaf Generators

Hard.  Wikipedia says for van de Graaff generators::
"The maximum achievable potential is approximately equal to the sphere's ra=
dius multiplied by the e-field where corona discharges begin to form within=
 the surrounding gas. For example, a polished spherical electrode 30 cm in =
diameter immersed in air at STP (which has a breakdown voltage of about 30 =
kV/cm) could be expected to develop a maximum voltage of about 450 kV."

So I'd guess 2MV is about 4 feet across, which is:
1) Brookhaven National Lab sized, not garage-sized.
2) quite a non-trivial and expensive exercise.
3) quite capable of being fatal.

Personal electrostatic machines tend to stop at around 200kV or so, I think=
..  I don't know if you can do anything with that=85

BillW


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