Re: impedance matched?

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Paul Nicholson <paul-at-abelian.demon.co.uk> 

Laurence Davis wrote:

 > Does the primary tank impedance match the secondary when tuned ?

No, they are very different.  Primary is low Z, secondary is
high Z.   This impedance difference is closely related to the
voltage step-up of the TC.

 > There is a mechanical analog to impedance and it wouldn't be too
 > much of a stretch to reach reactance.

Mechanical analogs are easy to come by.  Substitute pressure or stress
for voltage, and velocity for current.

 > my reasoning for the physical model is to create an easier to
 > visualize model of how the tesla coil resonates.

A pair of mechanically coupled pendulums will do nicely.

(fixed width font...)


     \|                                            |/
     \|\                                          /|/ anchor
     \| \ A                                   A  / |/
         \                                      /
          \           string                   /
            ----------------------------------
           |                                  |
           |                                  |
           |                                  |
           | B                                | B
           |                                  |
           |                                  |
          ###                                ###
          ### weight                         ### weight

Make string length B about 10 times length A.  Make the weights
the same.  The 'coupling' string must be under tension at all
times.  Set one pendulum swinging and watch the energy transfer
to the other, and then back again, etc.
--
Paul Nicholson
--