User:1sfoerster/enes100/fall2014/Dancing Balls

Problem
The dancing ball demonstration is inspiring. The goal is to document the current success and then start trying patterns. Perhaps a pattern of foil on one plate changes the angle of the ball bouncing, or moves them all into one spot. Or perhaps foil can be moved around by hand to create different shapes of balls. The balls can be made smaller or bigger. Perhaps spraying glue or conductive paint that dries will cause them to clump in a 3D shape. This could turn into art or maybe a 3D printer.

Conceive

 * video big ball bouncing between CD plates
 * video little balls between plates
 * video conductive ping pong ball pendulum between plates

Design
Document the dimensions, the voltages (if known), the ball diameters, weight and construction. Then begin empirical experiments. At the same time create a theory of operation from the analytical physics that would explain this behavior in physics.

For safety's purpose, must outline and propose the experiment to the instructor and class before doing the experiments.

Implement
Implement this with a variety of high voltage sources ... as they become available. Start of with whimshurst machines.

Dis-assembly process:
 * 1) 1. Remove the static brushes. These are on the crossbar on the outsides of the wooden frame. Loosen wingnut and pull off.
 * 2) 2. Remove the bolts holding in the crossbar. These come out freely and requires no turning.
 * 3) 3. Remove the crossbar. Hold up the disks and pull out the crossbar.
 * 4) 4. Remove the disks. The disks are attached to the bands so pull the bands off before pulling out the disks.

Cleaning process:


 * 1) 1. Sprayed the insides of the disks with multi-purpose cleaner and wiped off with paper towel
 * 2) 2. Sprayed some cleaner into paper towel and wiped off all aluminium foil parts: brushes and pickup points.

To start the machine, don't just hold a static-charged PVC pipe up to the disk. Instead hold it exactly opposite to one of the static brushes. Here are all the steps:


 * Ensure no brushes are making contact with the disks.
 * Before starting, make sure the disks rotate in opposite directions when turning handle
 * To start, rub a medium-large diameter PVC pipe with a silk cloth until there is enough static charge on the pipe to cause hairs to stand up
 * Hold charged PVC pipe opposite of one of the static brushes while turning handle. Will hear the static in the machine.

Troubleshooting:
 * If it is not starting, try changing which static brush one is holding the PVC pipe against
 * Change the direction of which you are turning the handle.

Operate
Shoot video of each different success or failure.

Perhaps try the above with solder balls or laser printer toner cartridge dust.

Try to add water to the balls video.

Demo

 * present
 * present fall 2014

Next Steps

 * get current system working and document
 * develop theory of operation in the context of "Dancing balls"
 * make hypothesis, design test and analyze the results