Original poster: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> At 09:12 PM 3/26/2007, you wrote:
Original poster: "Kurt Schraner" <k.schraner@xxxxxxxxxxx> Hi Gerry,before talking about the experiment: I'm shure, a slow ramp up will _not_ cause the rods to rock! It's certainly the repeated application of a small force, in the Eigenresonant frequency of the JL, which does the job.
I'm sort of jumping in late here, and I forgot if this has already been discussed, but I had always assumed that the movement in jacobs ladder rods was from one of two source: a) magnetic repulsion from the current flowing in the rods forcing them apart.. as the gap grows, the current is reduced, and the force lessens, causing the rods to move back together. b) some thermal/convection effects.. the arc is hot, and air moves past it pretty fast, and I think that might have an effect on the rods (pulling them together)