Re: [TCML] flourescent light trick

[Scott Bogard <teslas-intern@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave,
     I do get breakout without a point, and I think the arcs are 
actually a lot bigger.  I'm going to make a video of the effect tonight, 
as it is just plain cool.  Good to hear somebody else got the same results!

Scott Bogard.

Dave Pierson wrote:
>> that is exactly what I am saying, the part I do not understand
>> is why the tube all but "shuts off" when I touch it to the
>> ground while using a breakout point,
>>     
>     Different levels of energy available to the lamps.
>     cf as below.
>
>   
>> but if I am not using a breakout point,
>>     
>     This increases the available power (roughly speaking....)
>
>   
>> it roughly doubles in brightness (I am always holding the tube in my hand,
>> one end on the ground)!
>>     
>      I believe i concur with Gary's explantion, which matches my understanding
>      of the physics.
>
>      The terminal voltage (which relates to radiated power) is different in each case.
>        With a break outpoint attached, the voltage is lower, due to the load
>        created by the streamer from the breakout point.  This lowering of the
>        terminal voltage reduces the 'radiated' (and also: capacitively coupled)
>        power available to light the lamp.  Additionally, the energy that goes into the
>        breakout point streamer is NOT available to light the lamp.
>
>        With NO breakout point, terminal voltage rises: less (no?) energy is wasted
>        in streamers, more is available for lighting the lamp.
>
>       (As it happens, recently, by coincidence, with my small coil set up for Halloween,
>        i ran sort of the same exercise, got essentially the same result.)
>
>      While it is 'common' to associate Tesla Coils with lotsa flashy sparks,
>      my recollection is that Tesla described a (hypothetical) 'working' transmission
>      coil as 'surrounded by pale violet glow', NOT the flashy sparks.
>     
>   
>>> Are you saying that the tube glows brighter if a breakout point is not used, 
>>> and is dimmer if a breakout point is used?  This makes sense, as running without
>>> a breakout point permits the topload to achieve a higher voltage, resulting in a
>>> greater E-field.  Neat observation if I understand correctly - I've not tried that!
>>>       
>>> I didn't understand the consequences of grounding vs. hand-holding the tube.  Two variables here.
>>>       
>      best
>       dwp
> _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list
> Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
>
>   


_________________________________________________________________
Climb to the top of the charts!  Play Star Shuffle:  the word scramble challenge with star power.
http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla