AboutDan Fink Expertise Though my experience is mostly in the fields of electricity, magnetism, and physics, I have a broad science background. My career is in the field of alternative power sources -- solar, wind, water and battery power. But any questions about electricity, magnetism, energy conservation, power generation, electric motors, and even general physics are very welcome--especially from kids. They ask the best questions of all! I pride myself in answering science questions accurately, with ideas for SAFE, easy experiments that kids can perform by themselves--and that let them prove the answers to their own satisfaction. I think science should be fun, and available to everyone, regardless of age.
Experience I have volunteered in our local public schools for 5 years. I currently make presentations at our schools about electricity and magnetism, with a focus on solar, wind, water and other alternative power sources. I try to demonstrate at our schools how easy it is to make electricity, with simple devices using spinning magnets and coils of wire--powered by wind, water, bicycles, gerbils...etc. And of course solar panels! I am the webmaster of Otherpower.com, an alternative energy website. I have lived 10 miles from the nearest power pole for 11 years--I make all my own electricity from scratch with sun, wind and water.
Expert: Dan Fink Date: 3/19/2008 Subject: Tesla coil
Question My daughter wants to build tesla coil for science fair project/experiment. However the teacher's idea is for them to learn. Teacher wants project/experiment to answer a question, that is the reason for doing it.
What hypotenuse could be used with a tesla coil showing the answer?
Answer Hi David -- I'd go straight with Tesla's original premise for the coil. "Is it possible to transmit electrical power over a distance without wires?" Of course radios do this too, but the tesla coil does it fairly well and very dramatically -- you can light up a bulb from a distance with one. Not nearly as efficient as wires, of course, but it's darned impressive.
I'm assuming you know how dangerous Tesla coils are? DEADLY if you touch the primary. (The secondary is the safer, high voltage / low amperage part, the primary is the neon sign transformer or what have you). So you'll need to keep safety at the top of your list...for example, a shield to keep somebody from reaching in to touch the primary.
