Charging a capacitor in a tesla coil

AI Thread Summary
Charging a capacitor using AC voltage in a Tesla coil context raises questions due to the rapid voltage switching at 60Hz, which seems insufficient for charging. However, the discussion reveals that it is not purely AC but rather pulsed DC that allows for effective charging. Capacitors designed for high frequencies can charge quickly and discharge slowly, overcoming the limitations of standard capacitors. The conversation highlights the importance of using appropriate capacitors for high-frequency applications in Tesla coils. Understanding these principles is crucial for effective capacitor operation in such circuits.
p75213
Messages
93
Reaction score
0
Can somebody explain how it is possible to charge a capacitor using ac voltage? The way I see it is the capacitor wouldn't have time to charge as the voltage is constantly switching. In the case of 60Hz - 120 times a second.
I have attached a schematic of a tesla coil which is how I come to think about it.
 

Attachments

  • ScreenHunter_01 May. 27 13.45.gif
    ScreenHunter_01 May. 27 13.45.gif
    4.2 KB · Views: 1,024
Physics news on Phys.org
and if the cap charges quickly but discharges slowly...
 
I have made some enquiries and it appears that it is not AC voltage but rather pulsed DC.
 
You have the same issue - when the pulse is low the cap can discharge.
 
Simon Bridge said:
You have the same issue - when the pulse is low the cap can discharge.

Your right. It must be a capacitor which operates at high frequencies. I don't have any practical experience so I never new such capacitors were available until I had a look around the net.
 

Thread 'Maxwell stress tensor'

This is from Griffiths' Electrodynamics, 3rd edition, page 352. I am trying to calculate the divergence of the Maxwell stress tensor. The tensor is given as ##T_{ij} =\epsilon_0 (E_iE_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij} E^2)+\frac 1 {\mu_0}(B_iB_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij} B^2)##. To make things easier, I just want to focus on the part with the electrical field, i.e. I want to find the divergence of ##E_{ij}=E_iE_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij}E^2##. In matrix form, this tensor should look like this...
View full post »
Thread 'Applying the Gauss (1835) formula for force between 2 parallel DC currents'

Thread 'Applying the Gauss (1835) formula for force between 2 parallel DC currents'

Please can anyone either:- (1) point me to a derivation of the perpendicular force (Fy) between two very long parallel wires carrying steady currents utilising the formula of Gauss for the force F along the line r between 2 charges? Or alternatively (2) point out where I have gone wrong in my method? I am having problems with calculating the direction and magnitude of the force as expected from modern (Biot-Savart-Maxwell-Lorentz) formula. Here is my method and results so far:- This...
View full post »

Similar threads

Why does number of coils on primary affect frequency?
Replies
2
Views
3K
A An electrolytic capacitor keeps charging by itself
Replies
14
Views
2K
Can i cause NMR with a simple slayer exiter (Tesla coil)?
Replies
7
Views
3K
I How induction works within a coil (nuances of it)
Replies
6
Views
2K
I Parallel plate capacitor, charge imbalance VS charge redistribution
Replies
1
Views
919
Why is current defined as the rate of change of charge?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Some questions about capacitor discharging
Replies
7
Views
2K
Voltage across a Capacitor More than the Source Voltage?
Replies
9
Views
5K
Prove to me how capacitors in parallel can have the same V across plates
Replies
7
Views
2K
Charges of capacitors in series and in parallel
Replies
7
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top