Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am very interested in doing a project on Lichtenberg Figures.....if you have any information that you could contribute to my project i would really appreciate it!

and if you think that my project idea is impossible....any other ideas for me?

Thanks,
CJ

CJ,

An interesting topic question. First, you ask is it possible to create Lichtenberg figures in a science fair experiment?

The modern 3D type inside of a solid non-coductor such as acrylic is probably beyond your reach, simply because is it normally done using a linear accellerator to fire electronics at speed very close to the speed of light.

However, the old fashion, surface discharge figures are much more easily prepared if you have access to a static electricity generator. Your school science lab may have one. Or, if you are ambitious, you may build or buy one. You will need to build up and store a charge, then discharge it onto the surface of a non-conductive surface such as a white acrylic sheet.

Have you performed a web search on the subject? I found this site to be useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichtenberg_figure

The classic method of viewing the electrified regions was to use sulfur and red lead powder sprinkled onto the surface, then gently blow away the excess. I wouldn't recommend the use of these powders, especially the lead, as it is toxic. However, in these modern times we have access to something specifically design to show such electrified regions that is much safer, xerographic toner. This black powder is comprised of tiny beads of polymer that are easily attracted to charged areas... which is how they work inside of a photocopier, being attracted to the areas of the photoconductive plate that were NOT exposed to light reflected and focused from the paper to be copied. You won't need much of the powder. You can probably get enough from a used cartridge or two, keeping the cost of your experiment low. Just ask the school administration office to save them for you.

Oh... and you might want to wear old clothes and keep some cleaning wipes handy... that powder is messy!!! It may take a bit of experimenting with the procedure to get good results.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Wear a dust mask over your mouth and nose. Do not breath in the powder. All powdered materials can irritate the lungs.

Good luck with the experiment !

I might...and most likley will have acces to an Electron Beam @ UCSB.....but I am just not sure how to set everything up.

CJ,

I've never operated a linear accellerator. But one of the best things to do when you wish to do something is to find some who has and learn from them. You say that you may have access to an accellerator... then you should ask for help from the usual operators. In fact, I would think they would be insisting on that!

As to how to set up the material? There is some information available here:

http://teslamania.delete.org/frames/lichtenbergs.html

One thing to consider is that unless you have a fair amount of familiarity with beam trees, they can be dangerous to produce. The amount of instantaneous power generated during the discharge is quite high.

IMO, it's highly recommended that you find someone that has actually made one and discuss your planned procedures with them. I'll see if I can dig someone up... I have a friend at SLAC who has in the past been a ScienceBuddies advisor that knows a fair amount about them.

Ray Trent wrote:I have a friend at SLAC who has in the past been a ScienceBuddies advisor that knows a fair amount about them.

Well, he's not involved in ScienceBuddies this year, and it turns out that he doesn't know all that much, actually. The guy running the teslamania.com site is very helpful in my experience...