Re: pinhole glowing pickle

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From: pauld@exploratorium.edu
Date: Sun Feb 10 2002 - 15:24:32 PST 

Message-Id: <200202102324.g1ANOPp15062@isaac.exploratorium.edu>
From: pauld@exploratorium.edu
Subject: Re: pinhole glowing pickle
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 15:24:25 US/Pacific

Kevin

Warning, this demo uses lethal voltages.
You MUST use a GFI, ground fault interupt, circuit to power it.
See Don Rathjen for details of how to build your own if the school does not
have GFI outlets.

Construct a stand from PVC which holds two nails so that you can plug a pickle
into both nails, one nail at each end of the pickle.
The nails should penetrate at least 2 cm into the pickle and should not come
within 2 cm of each other.

Make sure the power is off.
Attach a "death cord" to the nails, 110 V AC power.
Plug in the pickle to the nails.
Turn on the power. Wait a minute.

The pickle begin to steam then will glow bright orange.

If you look at the glow with a spectroscope you will see it is the sodium D
line emission from the sodium chloride salt in the pickle.

You can also use the same apparatus to cook hot dogs, or lecturers.

Paul D

> Can someone please describe this strange and fascinating demonstration
> so that I may duplicate it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kevin Kinsella
> Science Explorer
> Woodside Elementary School
> 650.851.1571 x256
>
>
>
>
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