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(no subject)
Posted by spyrius on 7/27/2006, 6:41 am
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Re: (no subject)
Posted by Bert Hickman on 7/27/2006, 9:00 am, in reply to "(no subject)" A Tesla Coil will not directly produce X-rays, alpha rays, or gamma rays. Free electrons (or beta particles) are produced as a natural consequence of ionization of the air during corona and spark discharges. However, the average lifetime of a free electron in air is only about 11 nanoseconds - they are quickly captured by oxygen and water vapor molecules to form negative ions. High voltage discharges in air or other gases at STP will not produce X-rays except under some very special conditions. These conditions can occur during the propagation of lightning or during high power Marx Generator discharges. However, these conditions do not occur within Tesla Coil discharges. However, if a highly evacuated glass tube (such as an electron tube or X-ray tube) is placed at the top of a high power Tesla coil, high energy X-radiation CAN be produced as free electrons (inside the tube) are accelerated to high velocities by the high electrical field and they then collide with the glass envelope. As the energetic electrons collide with the glass envelope, they may also cause the envelope to fluoresce with a yellow-green or bright blue color. As the electrons a slowed by the glass, they can generate dangerous levels of X-radiation, especially from larger (100 kV+) Tesla Coils. Some electrons travelling at a sufficiently high velocity could (in theory) pass through the envelope to become beta rays (free electons) similar to the way electron beam accelerators operate. Electrons created within Tesla Coil spark discharges in air are rapidly slowed down and captured by colliding with air molecules, so X-rays are not produced within the corona or streamers. Play safely, Bert
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re
Posted by spyrius on 7/31/2006, 4:16 am, in reply to "Re: (no subject)" --Previous Message--
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Re: re
Posted by Bert Hickman on 7/31/2006, 7:44 am, in reply to "re" I suspect that what you actually observed was a plasma discharge inside the glass bulb. Most modern day light bulbs are "backfilled" with a small amount of inert gas (argon) to reduce evaporation of the tungsten filament. Also, your coil is sma emough so that it would not develop a high enough output voltage to generate dangerous "hard" X-rays even if you were to use a truly evacuated tube at the top. However, long exposure to ozone and various nitrogen oxides that are formed within the corona discharge can cause chest pain and headaches. Best wishes and play safely, Bert
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thanks
Posted by spyrius on 8/1/2006, 5:09 am, in reply to "Re: re"
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