Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I chose to do my projecton the effects of EMF on organisms it is due dec 2. WHile doing the project i encountered multiple problems, 1st i was unable to read the EMF off of the transformer towers with the gauss meter i built, 2nd the teacher suggested that i use brine shrimp as my organism and after doing three batches and not one hatching i switched to triops. I am now having to write up the report and am wondering what to do, i had no way of telling the transformers were actually giving off EMF, and i didnt have sufficent time to study my organisms do to the prior difficulties.Please Help!!

To make this reply I am going to make a few assumptions. You will need to filter the answers to pick out the correct ones.

The term "transformer towers" leads me to believe you are referring to electric utility distribution transformers on the top of a pole, about 25 or more feet above ground. The major problems here are two. Distance from the transformer (inverse square law applies) and the construction. The transformer itself is shielded inside the metal can. The result is almost nothing to measure at ground level.

You may find a more intense field coming out of the small power blocks that plug into a wall outlet for powering small items around the house, such as cell phones and computers.

As far as EMF fields themselves, you can probably measure the electric field much easier than the magnetic field.

Robert Reavis

Thank you for the help. I tried a cell phone and it gave of a very large reading, and i noticed that my fathers cell phone gave off a much lower reading then my mothers, I think ill use this for my next years project.
But for this years project i guess ill have to state that it was inconclusive.
Thank you again.