[TCML] Spark dynamics on Jacobs Ladder

[BunnyKiller]

from what I remember from college physics...   the 60 Hz AC pulses set 
up a harmonic frequency in the rods which become more predominate as the 
spark reaches the ends of the jacob ladder. If the rods have a 
fundimental frequency near the 60Hz of the AC, they will begin to sway 
and ""wiggle" more. Remember...  metal conductors carrying a current 
become a source of EM fields and 2 of them in a parallel setup have a 
tendancy to want to move towards or away from each other ( this part is 
fuzzy on the memory)

see what happens if you lengthen or shorten the rods....   will it 
increase or decrease the action??  :)

Scot D



Lau, Gary wrote:

>I hope this isn't viewed as too off-topic - I'll argue that the same physics apply to TC sparks ;-)
>
>I was giving a demonstration of various HV toys to a 4th grade class yesterday.  Among the devices was a Jacobs ladder, powered by a 15/30 NST.  The two 1/8" x 3 ft steel electrodes appeared to have been excited into a mechanical oscillation, bouncing towards and away from each other, at very roughly ~ 1Hz.  One of the students asked my why they were moving, and I had to admit that I didn't know the source of the force that was moving them.
>
>The period of the oscillation was much faster than the arc travel time up the electrodes.  It's clear that the period was that of the free-standing rods, and that the exciting force between them varies as a function of their separation, but I don't see the source of the attraction or repulsion between them.  Any theories?
>
>Thanks,
>Gary Lau
>MA, USA
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