What sort of experiments can be doen with Graphite ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around potential experiments that can be conducted with graphite, exploring various applications and properties of the material. The scope includes experimental setups, practical applications, and theoretical considerations related to graphite.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Experimental/applied
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest investigating the variation of resistance with temperature as an experiment involving graphite.
  • One participant proposes using graphite to create a carbon microphone, detailing a specific setup involving pencil lead and razor blades.
  • A later reply discusses the operational principle of the carbon microphone, explaining how sound waves affect contact resistance in the setup.
  • Another participant raises the idea of diamagnetic levitation as a potential experiment with graphite.
  • There is a question about whether carbon fiber can be considered as graphite in the context of the discussion, indicating a potential area of confusion or debate.
  • One participant recommends starting with the Wikipedia page on graphite to gather ideas for experiments, suggesting various sections that could be useful for research.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of ideas for experiments, but there is no consensus on a definitive list of experiments or methods. The discussion includes both agreement on certain experimental setups and questions about the applicability of different materials related to graphite.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note challenges in achieving reproducible contact in experiments involving resistance measurements, highlighting the need for consistent pressure and contact area. Additionally, the distinction between graphite and carbon fiber remains unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Researchers, students, and hobbyists interested in experimental physics, materials science, and the properties of graphite may find this discussion useful for generating ideas and understanding practical applications.

th3whit3fang
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What sort of experiments can be doen with Graphite ??

I need experiments that can be done for the research of graphite.. GOt any ideas??
 
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Variation of resistance with temperature.

Carbon microphone.

Different resistances across different pairs of opposite faces in a graphite cube. [I've never tried this, and it might be difficult to do, owing to problems making contact in a standard and reproducible way with the faces. Area of contact (metal to graphite) and pressure applied would need to be the same.]
 


th3whit3fang said:
I need experiments that can be done for the research of graphite.. GOt any ideas??

th3whit3fang, Welcome to Physics Forums!

If I had that assignment I would start with the Wikipedia page "Graphite" to stimulate ideas for experiments.

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

Check the sections "Occurrence, Properties, Uses". Don’ t forget these final sections, they can lead to far more information and ideas for your project:

"See also"
"References"
"Further reading"
"External links"

Cheers,
Bobbywhy
 


Thanks for your advises !

Philip Wood said:
Carbon microphone.

Can you explain how it could be done with graphite.. i searched for it and i got an experiment but it isn't so clear what was being done in the video..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhDzyK3-RSU
 
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One way to make a carbon microphone is to rest a piece of pencil 'lead' (that is graphite + a binding material) a few centimetres long on the edges of two razor blades. The set-up is [itex]\pi[/itex] shaped, with the razor blades forming the uprights, and the pencil 'lead' forming the bridge across the top. The 'terminals' of the microphone are the razor blades.

Connect the microphone in series with a battery (6 V, perhaps) and a resistor (100 [itex]\Omega[/itex], perhaps. Connect the y-amplifier input terminals of an oscilloscope across the resistor. Speak loudly near the pencil lead and you should see a corresponding trace on the oscilloscope, when you've adjusted the time-base and the y-gain.

It works - if it does work! - by the pressure variations in air due to the sound waves pushing the 'lead' more and less firmly on to the blades, changing the contact resistance between blades and lead. The series resistor completes a potential divider circuit.

Until quite recently carbon microphones (using carbon granules) were the standard microphone in telephone handsets. The quality of reproduction was never good.
 
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Thanks man !
 


Please post if you try it.
 


How about diamagnetic levitation?
 
Last edited by a moderator:


They are different but does carbon fibre count as graphite in this context?
 

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