How to Create Sparks

How to Create Sparks
By: Noel Shu
Reese Sheehy
• Our hypothesis is that if the two copper terminals
were set at different distances from the other the
amount of time it would take for a spark to occur at
a farther distance would take longer then if it were
at a shorter distance. Our second hypothesis was
that if, the size of the battery was changed to a
larger size then the energy released from the
battery would become faster and augment in
energy capacity when it traveled to the copper
terminals, which would shorten the frequency. The
last hypothesis was that if the rotations of the
secondary coil were altered by means of delaying
it, then that would effect the duration the
electricity would travel through the coil, thus
delaying the time of the spark.
• How is flashing during a thunderstorm created? Some
possible solutions that were evaluated for the experiment
are, at a very high voltage (Ex 3000V/mm) there will be
enough electricity to see sparks coming through the
space between the two copper terminals at the top of the
device. We believe that this will happen because when
the voltage crosses an air gap becomes sufficiently high,
electrons are removed from the air molecules, this
ionizes the air and allows the current to flow through.
Another solution calculated through this project is that it
will generate very high voltages in the form of sparks
that will act as a form of heat. This is because in the
process of creating sparks the electricity can convert
itself into heat, thus at the source of the light, were the
heat is created form the origin of the sparks, will heat
the air molecules that are surrounding it.
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one 5/8 in diameter iron carriage bolt, length between 4 and 6 inches
(hardware store)
36 inch 12-gauge bare copper wire (hardware store)
1/4 lb. spool, 26 gauge (or higher) enameled magnet wire (part number
GU-QPM26, Action Electronics
4 to 6 in length of PVC tubing (open at both ends) to fit over primary coil
and carriage bolt; this serves as an insulator between the primary and
secondary coils (hardware store)
wax paper (for insulation between layers of secondary coil)
1.0 μF 250 V metal film capacitor Radio Shack part number 272-1055
0.01 μF 50 V capacitor Radio Shack part number 272-1065
0.1 μF 250 V ceramic capacitor Radio Shack part number 272-1053
high-current switching relay Radio Shack part number 275-217
two 6 V lantern batteries Radio Shack part number 23-016
momentary switch, normally open, 3 A or higher Radio Shack part
number 275-618
5 470 kΩ, 2-Watt resistors part number 594-5083NW470K0J
soldering iron
solder
wood ( frame for mounting the components)
• Through our tests and examination we were able to
confirm that our hypothesis in the beginning seem to be
correct. In our hypothesis we stated that if the copper
terminals were set at different distances from the other,
the amount of time it would take a spark to occur at a
farther distance would require longer amount of time
then if it were at a shorter distance. Our second
hypothesis was that if the size of the battery was
augmented then it would result in a greater and more
energetic force when it traveled to the copper terminals,
which would ultimately shorten the frequency. The last
hypothesis was that if the rotations of the secondary coil
were changed then that would effect the time the
electricity traveled through the coil, by delaying the time
of the spark.
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Through our experiments we have found that our
results do match our basic hypothesis.
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12
10
8
Series1
6
Series2
4
2
0
1
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2D Graph 5
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Y Data
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X Data
Col 1 vs Col 2
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X- Size of Batteries.
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Y- Frequency.
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10
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Series1
6
Series2
4
2
0
1
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2D Graph 6
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Y Data
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9
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4
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X Data
Col 1 vs Col 2
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X- Number of Rotations.
Y- Frequency.
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1
0
Series1
Series2
1
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2D Graph 1
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Y Data
6
5
4
3
2
1
2
3
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X Data
Col 1 vs Col 2
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X- distance between copper terminals.
Y- Frequency
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