Wake Forest Physics
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WFU Physics Lecture Demonstrations
Short a Capacitor
PIRA 5C30.20
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Image:
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Description:
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A large capacitor is charged through a resistor and
then is shorted by touching the leads together. It gives a resounding
CRACK and bright flash of light due to the quick loss of potential.
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Recipe and
Location:
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110V Capacitor
Power Supply
Stick with Aligator Clip
100 Ohm Resistor on Board
Leads
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Video:
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None
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MPG Video:
None
Real Video:
None
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Notes:
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Charge the capacitor SLOWLY so as to not harm the power supply. Charging
to about 50V gives a nice crack.
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Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics
Waves
Thermodynamics
E&M
Optics
Modern
Astronomy
Information
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