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Re: TC Characteristics Q's
> My questions involve the conditions around and inside the
different
> components of a Tesla Coil itself. I understand there is ionization of
the
> air immediately around the top capacitance whether it's a sphere or a
> toroid. Is this true? Can anyone explain? (anything to do with the
skin
> effect and electron bombardment of oxygen molecules?)
Not much to do with skin effect. Lots to do with high voltage. If the
electric field is greater than about 30 kV/cm (70 kV/inch) the air breaks
down (i.e. ionizes). In some circumstances you get a corona discharge, in
others a spark (lots of complex and disputed theory as to why one and not
the other in a particular situation, by the way). If you have a sphere (or
something) at a high voltage relative to ground, the field is strongest
right next to the surface, and gradually gets less as you move farther
away.
> Also, I was interested in finding out if there are magnetic
fields
> inside of the top capacitance or inside the coils themselves (rail
guns?).
Certainly there are magnetic fields, but they aren't all that strong. The
total stored energy in a tesla coil is on the order of a few joules, the
currents aren't all that high (compared to, say, a can crusher or quarter
shrinker). Rail guns (and coil guns) work by an entirely different
principle.
> I saw a photo of a huge demonstration TC where a man was actually inside
of
> the sphere while it was operating. Could this be true also?
Most certainly... Inside any conductive object there is no net field. This
is the principle behind a faraday cage, a Van de Graaf generator, and
shielding in general. Now, if I were standing in that top sphere, I
wouldn't go sticking my hand outside the sphere, though!!