Re: [Phys-l] [PTSOS] Chirping chick pondering

[Bernard Cleyet <bernardcleyet@redshift.com>]

Yes!  that was what I was thinking a few days ago when I posted capacitance, but then got stuck on continuous displacement current.   The initial connection is always "AC".

However, since both contacts, as reported, must be connected to a capacitor, I suspect those capacitors are a single one.   DB, below has important questions regarding this.  i.e.  How long after breaking the circuit does it chirp, etc.

bc thinks disassembly may be necessary, if only to verify the conclusion from further experimentation.

I suggest reference to Bill B's page on static detectors whose link I also posted.

p.s.  Note the science faire model of how science works, much derided by phys-l, et al.   There was an accidental discovery of an effect and then suppositions.   This reminds me of what "really" happens often in science faire projects, i.e. discovery and experimentation and then knowing the answer fitting it to the model for science faire presentation.

 
On 2010, Mar 21, , at 10:47, Bill Taylor wrote:

> Here's a guess:  Capacitance.
>
> If one person touches each contact, charge could flow for each terminal of the battery to the large "capacitor-person"  on each end.  This would result in charge flowing through all circuit elements on the chick even though there is not a complete circuit.
>
> I think.  
>
> - Bill
>
>
> Bill Taylor
> Physics, AP Physics, Rocketry Club
> Westmont School, Campbell, CA
> 415 218 6201
>
> --- On Sun, 3/21/10, Daniel Burns <DBurns@lgsuhsd.org> wrote:
>
> From: Daniel Burns <DBurns@lgsuhsd.org>
> Subject: RE: [PTSOS] Chirping chick pondering
> To: PTSOS@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 10:28 AM
>
>  
> I don't have one of the electric chicks but I will take a stab at this. I would say I don't know but I know how to try and find out. I would ask for her hypothesis and then develop a way to test it. For example, does the chick need a contact to keep chirping? I think the answer is no, if you complete the circuit for a moment it will go on chirping for a little after the contact is broken. What could be temporarily completing the circuit? Maybe a static charge. Try building up a charge by scuffing your feet on a rug  and touching the chick. Does this cause it to chirp? If so, can you get it to chirp if you always ground yourselves before touching the chick? If this doesn't produce answers, what else could be going on? Is it some sort of electrochemical effect between your skin and the contacts? How could you test this? Students who go on to produce good science projects are good at following this line of thinking.
>
> Dan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: PTSOS@yahoogroups. com on behalf of Scott Chan
> Sent: Sat 3/20/2010 11:06 AM
> To: PTSOS@yahoogroups. com
> Subject: [PTSOS] Chirping chick pondering
>
> I was demonstrating the annoying bird thing with my daughter last
> night.  When we each touched one contact, and subsequently touched each
> other, it started tweeting, thus demonstrating the necessity of
> completing the circuit.  However, on several occasions, the chick
> chirped once as soon as the second contact was touched, but before we
> completed the loop by touching each other.  So of course, she asks why
> that happens.
>
> So I gave her my best speculative explanation, and related it to the
> operation of another device highly coveted by teenagers.
>
> Well, it's a good question...  so what do you all tell your students?
>
> -Scott
>
>
>
> __._,_.___
> Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic
> Messages in this topic (4)
> RECENT ACTIVITY: New Members 1
> Visit Your Group
> Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use
> .
>  
> __,_._,___