YouTube in the Classroom - A Physics Lesson

When the site YouTube was created the expectation was that creativity would reign supreme. Such has been the case with some innovative videos created by Steve Ward and Jeff Larson. The videos feature two gigantic Tesla coils standing 7 feet tall and capable of putting out a 12 foot spark. The two coils are spaced about 18 feet apart and are controlled over a fiber optic link by a single laptop computer. Though there is a great deal of audio, there are no speakers involved.

One video has Dr. Zeus in the middle holding two florescent light bulbs. The two Tesla coils proceed to produce an array of miniature lightning bolts that create sounds as the bolts snap through the air . The sparks also cause the hand held lights to glow as if they were hooked into an electrical circuit. Take a peak.

“Dr. Zeus” and Dueling Musical Tesla Coils

For teachers looking for an open ended assignment that seeks to begin with a concept that leads students to research a phenomena, the videos on YouTube create just such an opportunity. After watching the above video, students could be asked to research just what such a coil consists of and why it is able to produce such significant sparks. What was/is the original use of such coil? How is it possible that a unwired florescent light can be turned into bright light saber while held by Dr. Zeus in the middle? What such an effect be possible with an incandescent light bulb. What is the attire of Zeus and how is it possible for him to stand safely among the intense electrical output, and what is the basis of the insulating plastic sheet beneath his feet? And so on…….

Then you can point students to the movie that actually controls the sound emitted. Check this out:

Twin Musical Tesla Coils playing Mario Bros

For the advanced students yet another set of questions could be created around the creation and control of the sounds.

Note: There are many more videos of the Ward/Larson coils at YouTube.com.