| This Tesla coil was developed as a project for students at the university to enter into a Science Day exhibition. This runs for three days and changes universities each year. This was the first time here (Chiangmai University) in 4 or 5 years. Grade school and high school students for a hundred miles around are brought to the show in the hopes of peaking their interests in the field of science.
I had been assigned the task when I brought up the matter that I needed an NST to build a Tesla coil to a colleage. After further inquiries by him he suggested that I make it a Science Day Project - no arguments from me (school sponsored/budgeted). I was given 10 students and 2 physics professors to assist in the construction. Considering I had only 3.5 weeks to do it in, I needed all the help I could get.
It has ended up being an enormous education tool for the students assigned to me. I can't think of any other project (low cost) that has more concepts in Physics and electricity then a Tesla coil. RF theory, transmission line theory, energy conservation, high voltage, reactance (inductive/capacitive), resonance concepts, etc...
After I gave a presentation on Tesla coils, including some video files, they were quite excited about the project. As we progressed and especially after the coil was first fired up, the questions just rolled in from some of the students wanting to know more about the why's and how's of the TC.
I suspect and I recommended that the coil be kept for the next semester(s) students and allow them to enhance and modify the design. Some mention to me that I may design a bigger coil for a National science show. Hmm, how much wire needed for a 12" diameter coil - and where is a 'pig' when I need one?
I apologize for the 'looseness' of this page but I wanted to get it up as soon as possible (a little student pressure:-) |
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