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Table of Contents
Nail Burner
Description
A demonstration using the concept of Joule heating to show Wein's Law and the AC concept of a step-down transformer. Classes Used: PHYS 100, PHYS 153, ASTR 101, ASTR 201
Purpose
A demonstration using the concept of Joule heating to show Wein's Law and the AC concept of a step-down transformer.
Apparatus
Nail burning apparatus, nails, leather gloves, eye protection
Setup
This apparatus can be plugged directly into the wall, but it is often more useful to vary the voltage (Using the variac, bottom of red closet). Place the nail in the holder and clamp so that the handles are held together by the nail and the screws. Increase the voltage so that the nail glows. By varying the voltage it is possible to see the nail glow red and then orange. When the nail is bright orange it will melt in half, causing the handles to spring apart. It is possible at this point to weld the nail back together so that it can be reused.
Even after the nail regains it's original colour it is still hot enough to burn you. Use the leather gloves.
Notes
When viewed using the infrared camera you can see the nail glow brightly in infrared well before it starts glowing in the visible spectrum. This demo goes very well when paired with other demonstrations that show interesting properties when viewed in infrared , like the thermal teapot and the lead plate.
Demo room information
| Location | Closet #3 |
| Maker | Unknown |
| Current State | Working |