Introduction
In this experiment, we will determine the Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Plasma Arc. To perform this experiment, we will observe the extent to which the plasma arc generated by the Tesla coil gets deflected by the magnetic field.
We hypothesized that the magnetic field would affect the plasma arc, and its north and south pole would not produce any major change over each other.
We will prepare a rod with two magnets and another rod with five magnets, and we hypothesized that both rods would perform similarly. And there would be no difference between the two.
Aim
To determine whether or not the plasma arc gets affected by the magnetic field.
Theory
1. Nikola Tesla discovered the Tesla coil to produce wireless light, which means electricity will flow through the air.
2. The parts of the tesla coil create an electric field that pushes electrons through the light bulb.
3. The spark gap in the tesla coil produces the arc when it reaches a high voltage.
Requirements
2. A capacitor rated for high voltage
3. Tungsten rods
4. An aluminium toroid
5. Copper wire
6. A steel rod
7. Wooden base
8. A steel hex nut
9. Seven neodymium magnets
10. Camera
11. Microsoft paint
12. Notebook
Procedure
Step 1: Construct a tesla coil by connecting the capacitor, tungsten rod (spark assembly), and primary inductor coil. This will work as a primary circuit.
Step 2: Connect the secondary capacitor and the secondary inductor coil for the secondary circuit.
Step 3: Now, build pulse chokes for wrecking the power supply transformer.
Step 4: Now, assemble the components of the tesla coil and connect the power supply to the primary circuit using chokes (build this by wrapping copper wire around a narrow tube).
Step 5: Power this tesla coil through a standard electrical wall outlet.
Step 6: Screw the steel rod into a wooden base.
Step 7: Screw the steel hex nut onto the rod.
Step 8: Balance the magnet on top of the nut facing vertically upward.
Step 9: Put two neodymium magnets together to perform two sets of trials.
Step 10: Put five magnets together for performing another two tests. Test both the poles, north as well as south.
Step 11: Also, perform this test without any magnet that will act as a control.
Step 12: Test pictures of each trial using a camera.
Step 13: Put all the obtained pictures in Microsoft paint, and using the grid lines, we will measure the maximum point an arc has reached from the rod.
Step 14: Record your observations.
Observation
1. We ran a statistical test to determine the effect of the magnet on the arc’s path emerging from the tesla coil.
2. We ran a test and named it F-test, which showed the variances between various data sets.
3. We also ran a T-test for every F-test.
4. From F-test, we concluded that all the data sets had equal variance. Then, we assume all data of the T-test had equal variance.
5. And thus, we concluded from the T-test that the arc coming from the tesla coil experienced no magnetic effect.
Result
1. Our hypothesis is incorrect because we assumed that the magnet affected the arc from the Tesla coil.
2. We reached this conclusion by looking at the statistical test that we conducted during our experiment.
3. In the future, to see the effect, we will be using stronger and multiple magnets and will also locate them in different directions. This experiment can also uncover the effect of magnets on high-voltage electrical discharge.
Precaution
1. As the Tesla coil can be dangerous, use it cautiously.
2. Use a high-voltage transformer.
3. Record your observation precisely.
Conclusion
In this experiment, we tried to determine the Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Plasma Arc.
VIVA Questions With Answers
Q.1 What was the aim of your experiment?
ANS. We aimed to determine the effect of the magnet of the arc coming from a tesla coil.
Q.2 Name the scientist who discovered the Tesla coil.
ANS. Nikola Tesla discovered the Tesla coil.
Q.3 Did the magnet show any effect on the arc?
ANS. From the experiment, we find that the magnet did not affect the arc.

Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.
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