[Physics] Questions about Van de Graaff generator

electricityelectromagnetismelectrostatics

Only asking those questions because I can't afford to get a real generator.

  1. If the voltage on the sphere was 50 kV, then I used a metal rod to discharge it and I connected a voltmeter to wire grounding the rod, will it read 50 kV?

  2. Does the formula $V=kq/r$ apply for the generator? (According to some sites, it does.) If it does, which radius is meant? The hollow part radius? Will the thickness of the wall matter?
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Best Answer

If the voltmeter is able to measure such high voltages and has a very high internal resistance you can connect it between the sphere and ground and it will display 50kV.

The thickness of the wall doesn't matter at all. So r is the external radius.