How to Create Sparks By Noel Shu Reese

How to Create Sparks By: Noel Shu Reese Sheehy

• Our hypothesis is that if the two copper terminals were set at different distances from the other the amount of time it would take for a spark to occur at a farther distance would take longer then if it were at a shorter distance. Our second hypothesis was that if, the size of the battery was changed to a larger size then the energy released from the battery would become faster and augment in energy capacity when it traveled to the copper terminals, which would shorten the frequency. The last hypothesis was that if the rotations of the secondary coil were altered by means of delaying it, then that would effect the duration the electricity would travel through the coil, thus delaying the time of the spark.

• How is flashing during a thunderstorm created? Some possible solutions that were evaluated for the experiment are, at a very high voltage (Ex 3000 V/mm) there will be enough electricity to see sparks coming through the space between the two copper terminals at the top of the device. We believe that this will happen because when the voltage crosses an air gap becomes sufficiently high, electrons are removed from the air molecules, this ionizes the air and allows the current to flow through. Another solution calculated through this project is that it will generate very high voltages in the form of sparks that will act as a form of heat. This is because in the process of creating sparks the electricity can convert itself into heat, thus at the source of the light, were the heat is created form the origin of the sparks, will heat the air molecules that are surrounding it.

• • • • one 5/8 in diameter iron carriage bolt, length between 4 and 6 inches (hardware store) 36 inch 12 -gauge bare copper wire (hardware store) 1/4 lb. spool, 26 gauge (or higher) enameled magnet wire (part number GUQPM 26, Action Electronics 4 to 6 in length of PVC tubing (open at both ends) to fit over primary coil and carriage bolt; this serves as an insulator between the primary and secondary coils (hardware store) wax paper (for insulation between layers of secondary coil) 1. 0 μF 250 V metal film capacitor Radio Shack part number 272 -1055 0. 01 μF 50 V capacitor Radio Shack part number 272 -1065 0. 1 μF 250 V ceramic capacitor Radio Shack part number 272 -1053 high-current switching relay Radio Shack part number 275 -217 two 6 V lantern batteries Radio Shack part number 23 -016 momentary switch, normally open, 3 A or higher Radio Shack part number 275 -618 5 470 kΩ, 2 -Watt resistors part number 594 -5083 NW 470 K 0 J soldering iron solder wood ( frame for mounting the components)

• Through our tests and examination we were able to confirm that our hypothesis in the beginning seem to be correct. In our hypothesis we stated that if the copper terminals were set at different distances from the other, the amount of time it would take a spark to occur at a farther distance would require longer amount of time then if it were at a shorter distance. Our second hypothesis was that if the size of the battery was augmented then it would result in a greater and more energetic force when it traveled to the copper terminals, which would ultimately shorten the frequency. The last hypothesis was that if the rotations of the secondary coil were changed then that would effect the time the electricity traveled through the coil, by delaying the time of the spark. • Through our experiments we have found that our results do match our basic hypothesis.

• X- Size of Batteries. • Y- Frequency.

• • X- Number of Rotations. Y- Frequency.

• • X- distance between copper terminals. Y- Frequency