Re: High Voltage (fwd)

["W. Barlow Newbolt" <wnewbolt@liberty.uc.wlu.edu>]

On Wed, 24 Sep 1997, Lowell Herr wrote:

> Would anyone be able to send me some answers on the question below. 
>
> Lowell
>
> PHYSLab Home Page -   http://physlab.catlin.edu
>
> Lowell Herr
> The Catlin Gabel School
> Project PHYSLab II
> 8825 SW Barnes Road
> Portland, OR  97225
>
>
> Dear Lowell,
> 	I have a question I haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer to, 
> but thought you might be able to help.
> I build a Tesla Coil high voltage generator over the summer and want to 
> measure the output voltage.  I have read that a) voltage affects spark length 
> only and b) power output affects spark length.
> Is their any way to relate output voltage to spark length?  I get 18" sparks.  If I use spark length as an indicator,
> this would be 18" * 32000 V/inch = 576000 volts.  Is this correct? 
>
> 	Sincerely,
> 				Brian Knight
I would use 23,000 volts/in or thereabouts, but it's an approximation 
after all.  Depends on water vapor in the air and all kinds of things.

W. Barlow Newbolt              540-463-8881  (telephone)
218 Howe Hall                  540-463-8884  (fax)
Washington and Lee University  newbolt.w@fs.science.wlu.edu	
Lexington, Virginia 24450      wnewbolt@liberty.uc.wlu.edu

"It is often stated that of all the theories proposed in this century, 
the silliest is quantum theory.  In fact, some say that the only thing 
quantum theory has going for it is that it is unquestionably correct."

                                           Michio Kaku, 1995