Re: Flaming Sparks (fwd)

To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Flaming Sparks (fwd)
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 23:52:15 -0600
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net
References: <Pine.LNX.3.95.970302222904.371H-100000-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com> <331C7323.45B3-at-acpub.duke.edu>

Stan wrote:
> 
> This gives me an idea: lighter fluid.  Or butane or natural gas.  If you
> could find a way to "safely" blow a combustible gas into the top area of
> an operating Tesla, the results would be quite interesting.
> 
> Tesla List wrote:
> 
>   NOTE: This is a repost.  I thought it went out, but perhaps not.
> 
>   Chip
> 
>   ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>   Date: Sun, 02 Mar 1997 19:47:07 GMT
>   From: Robert Michaels <robert.michaels-at-online.sme-dot-org>
>   To: mod1-at-pupman-dot-com
>   Subject: RE: Flaming Sparks
> 
>   M>Subject: Flaming sparks
> 
>   M>I put some paper on top of my tesla coil and lit it. as the flames
> 
>   M>started there were bolts coming from the ends of the flames, very
>   M>interesting. As the fire grew, however, the sparks came to a
>   standstill.
>   M>They did not return untill the fire subsided. Did the fire somehow
> 
>   M>detune the coil?
>   M>--
>   M>Kevin M. Conkey
> 
>           The combination of Tesla coils and flame phenomena is quite
>           a fascinating one.   As has been pointed out recently by a
>           List subscriber patently more sophisticated than I, a flame
>           is rich in ions and highly conductive electrically, even at
>           low (i.e. battery) voltages.
> 
>           I've taken your lit paper experiment to several increments
>           higher and invite you to do likewise.
> 
>           Obtain a Fourth-of-July  (or if need be Guy Fawkes Day)
>           fireworks "fountain".  Light the fountain and place it atop
>           the coil, and power it up.
> 
>           Now try that with a roman candle.
> 
>           Even a sparkler, or a group of them, is quite interesting.
> 
>           Some of these items will self-ignite if upon the terminus
>           of an operating Tesla coil.
> 
>           SAFETY NOTE:  Some fountains contain powdered aluminum
>           or powdered iron (iron filings) or powdered magnesium.
>           Some of these will self-ignite =internally=.  Do stand
>           clear in doing this work - and keep the area of combust-
>           ibles.  And for openers it's best to
>           restrict yourself to fountains containing only carbon or
>           powdered charcoal.  Else, remove the pyrotechnic compo-
>           sition from the fountain and place it in a loose pile
>           atop the coil terminus.  This is not quite as dramatic,
>           but it's =much= safer.
> 
>           This work carries a double-whammy: if the high-voltage
>           doesn't do you the explosives may.
> 
>                                   - - - - - - -
> 
>           I've yet to try this with either a string of firecrackers
>           or a multi-shot tube item (widely called a "birthday cake"
>           in parts of the U.S.) -- but hey, one needs something to
>           live for, and the Fourth is only 4 months away!
> 
>                                   SPARKS!! - any which way you can,
> 
>                                   Robert (boom-boom) Michaels.

References:

RE: Flaming Sparks (fwd)

From: Tesla List <mod1-at-pupman-dot-com>