Induction Coils and/or Hertz Experiment

[aku2590]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question that was bugging me...

If i was asked to draw the voltage output vs time of an induction coil...would it be absolute value sine curve??

Secondly i absolutely don't understand how in Hertz experiment, what the sparks jumping across have anything to do with oscillating electric field. If the source of the voltage is from an induction coil...then on electrode is always positive and the other always negative. The only change is that they vary from high potential difference to zero continuously (assuming my question 1 hypothesis is right).

So there is an electric field, then there isnt, then there is, then there isn't and so on...but whenever there is...its always in the same direction. So how is the EM wave produced??

Really welcome and appreciate anybody's help...

 

[lalbatros]

The important point is not the oscillating field, it is the changing field.
Changing rapidly in a "spark" is like changing rapidly in a high frequency oscillating field, the difference is that oscillating implies frequent repetition of this changing field.

For the exact mathematical description, try to look for Fourier transform.
This will show you how any signal, even limited in time, can be seen as a superposition of oscillating signals.

 

[astrokreng]

Hi there,

To answer your first question, the voltage output of an induction coil can indeed be represented by an absolute value sine curve. This is because the induction coil works by creating a changing magnetic field, which in turn induces a changing voltage in the coil. This changing voltage will result in a sine wave when graphed over time.

As for your second question, the Hertz experiment is based on the concept of electromagnetic waves, which are produced by oscillating electric and magnetic fields. In this experiment, the induction coil is used to create an oscillating electric field, which causes the sparks to jump across the gap between the electrodes. This is because the electric field is strong enough to ionize the air between the electrodes, creating a conductive path for the sparks to travel. The changing electric field also creates a changing magnetic field, which then produces the electromagnetic wave. The direction of the electric field may seem to be constant, but it is actually changing rapidly, creating the necessary conditions for electromagnetic wave production.

I hope this helps clarify your understanding of these concepts. Keep exploring and asking questions!