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Well I have a problem, I built it and it does not spark, and it's hard to get both droppers to flow at the same rate. What could be the cause of it not sparking like it should. The inducer rings are aluminum could that be an issue? It's due by 12/9/14
Here is link: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #materials
Kelvin Electrostatic Generator
Moderators: kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators
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deleted-254524
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 2:51 pm
- Occupation: Student
- Project Question: Kelvin Electrostatic Generator.
- Project Due Date: 12/10/14
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
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deleted-254524
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 2:51 pm
- Occupation: Student
- Project Question: Kelvin Electrostatic Generator.
- Project Due Date: 12/10/14
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
Re: Kelvin Electrostatic Generator
It would be nice if I could have some help with this! Should I upload a picture of my set-up?
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deleted-254524
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 2:51 pm
- Occupation: Student
- Project Question: Kelvin Electrostatic Generator.
- Project Due Date: 12/10/14
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
Re: Kelvin Electrostatic Generator
WELL I KNOW WHERE I AM NOT GOING FOR HELP, THANKS A LOT FOR NOTHING! 
These forums are a joke...
These forums are a joke...-
norman40
- Former Expert
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- Occupation: retired chemist
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Re: Kelvin Electrostatic Generator
Hello Avidsurvivalist,
I'm sorry that you have a problem with your Kelvin electrostatic generator.
You mentioned that your made the inducers from aluminum. That should be OK. Did you make the inducers from a soda can? If so, did you sand the inducers to bare metal on the inside and outside?
Also, you mentioned difficulty with getting the same “drip rate” from both droppers. I don't think you need exactly the same “drip rate” – reasonably close is probably good enough. You might be able to change the drip rate from the slower dripper by adjusting the height of the tube leading to it, or by carefully enlarging the hole in the end of the dripper.
My suggestion for trouble-shooting your generator is to start by checking all of your electrical connections. You should have wire from the left coffee can to the right inducer, and from the right coffee can to the left inducer. It might help to sand the areas of the coffee cans contacted by the alligator clips. You should also have wires from the right coffee can to the right probe, and from the left coffee can to the left probe. The tips of the probes should be positioned 0.5 cm apart. You might try dimming the lights to make the sparks easier to see.
As noted in the procedure, you need to have dry air around the apparatus. You can use a dehumidifier if the humidity is too high.
I hope this helps and good luck. Please ask again if you have more questions.
A. Norman
I'm sorry that you have a problem with your Kelvin electrostatic generator.
You mentioned that your made the inducers from aluminum. That should be OK. Did you make the inducers from a soda can? If so, did you sand the inducers to bare metal on the inside and outside?
Also, you mentioned difficulty with getting the same “drip rate” from both droppers. I don't think you need exactly the same “drip rate” – reasonably close is probably good enough. You might be able to change the drip rate from the slower dripper by adjusting the height of the tube leading to it, or by carefully enlarging the hole in the end of the dripper.
My suggestion for trouble-shooting your generator is to start by checking all of your electrical connections. You should have wire from the left coffee can to the right inducer, and from the right coffee can to the left inducer. It might help to sand the areas of the coffee cans contacted by the alligator clips. You should also have wires from the right coffee can to the right probe, and from the left coffee can to the left probe. The tips of the probes should be positioned 0.5 cm apart. You might try dimming the lights to make the sparks easier to see.
As noted in the procedure, you need to have dry air around the apparatus. You can use a dehumidifier if the humidity is too high.
I hope this helps and good luck. Please ask again if you have more questions.
A. Norman