Re: [TCML] Why so loud?

[Mark X2 <susax2@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Paul,

Actually, it isn't the air expanding because of the heat that makes the
thunder.
The shockwave is caused by the rapidly imploding vacuum that is left behind
when the spark disappears.
It's comparable to cracking your knuckels or cavitation in a radiator.

Mark

2013/2/8 <mrapol@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

> A while back I was demonstrating one of my modest bipolar coils at a Maker
> Faire, and I was asked why it was so loud. I gave what I imagine is the
> standard answer/reason, 'the same reason thunder is loud--' the electricity
> heats the air around it very rapidly, causing the air to expand, etc. The
> questioner bought it, but since then I've been thinking it over. Is this
> really true? Does a high frequency discharge really transmit that much heat
> to the air? The top terminals don't get hot on my coil. Is there a
> different reason why Tesla coil discharges are so loud?
>
> Just curious,
>
> Paul
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