<p>So after the AP Physics test, our assignment for the rest of the year is to make a physics project. Our teacher told us of how two former students demonstrated the Photoelectric effect as their project.</p>
<p>I am interested in building a Tesla coil as my project. </p>
<p>Any thoughts/concerns/advice?</p>
<p>It seems kinda cool, and I am curious to see if a Tesla coil can be used for something more practical.</p>
<p>Also how big could one build it?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Make sure it’s legal to build it in your state/area. Law enforcers have this silly idea that high voltages can kill.</p></li>
<li><p>There is really no practical use for a Tesla coil. It makes lightning. It’s fun to watch.</p></li>
<li><p>Size specifications should be tailored to your intended power rating.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Anyway, here’s a helpful site for you. A quick google search will bring up more help results. </p>
<p>[DeepFriedNeon</a> - Tesla Coils](<a href=“http://deepfriedneon.com/tesla_guide.html]DeepFriedNeon”>DeepFriedNeon - Tesla Coils)</p>
<p>Edit: I forgot an important thing. Make sure you have at least one marginally intelligent professional at hand. You don’t want your half-built TC to blow up your garage.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link and advice. Very helpful.</p>
<p>Anyone have experience building one before?</p>
<p>tesla coils are old news. i built one in 3rd grade.</p>
<p>^ lol, cc tesla-coil elitism</p>
<p>Ooh, another thing. If this is your first tesla coil, and if it’s just for a simple science experiment, I advise you to start out small. No 7 ft sparks or 12+" toroids. A 250 kV coil will suffice for a project, and the sparks (I think, but don’t quote me on this) aren’t fatal. </p>
<p>A 1.5 million-volt Tesla coil would certainly be impressive, but there are safety repercussions you need to worry about.</p>
<p>the 250kV coil will produce how long of a spark?</p>
<p>Do your **<strong><em>ing research! If you don’t know that you’re gonna get HURT! (And believe me, you don’t want that. It’s not only that it hurts like a </em></strong> - you risk serious heart problems.)</p>
<p>
ahaha. 850 inches or about 7.1 feet.
that is going to be an insanee science project. sicknasty. haha.</p>
<p>They can be VERY dangerous if you don’t have experience building them or don’t have engineering/mechanic/electrician experience</p>
<p>I will do my research then.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Pshh, only if you have a really massive power source. Like that 250kV coil I was talking about :). </p>
<p>For a science project (that you can actually bring to school), a 50V coil will produce about a foot of spark. Which can produce mild shocks, but won’t kill a heart-healthy person.</p>
<p>So no pacemakers.</p>
<p>Bumping this thread up</p>
<p>Again, I am bumping this</p>
<p>Well, what other information do you need? A lot of it can be found on google, and if that fails you, there are maybe a couple of books at your library that can help.</p>
<p>What’s a good book I should buy to look into how to build one?</p>
<p>This is awesome. You should make a documentary of yourself doing this and getting shocked and shocking random people on the street and stufff.</p>
<p>Happpppy birthday, Nikola Tesla!</p>
<p>Thanks for remembering :D</p>
<p>It’s nice and toasty here.</p>