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Experiment 26: Tabletop Power Generation

Figure 5-22. Because inductance increases with the diameter of a coil and with the square
of the number of turns, your power output from moving a magnet through the coil can
increase dramatically with scale. Those wishing to live “off the grid” may consider this
steam-powered configuration, suitable for powering a three-bedroom home.

Volts

Long Wire

(positive)

Figure 5-23. Using a diode in series with a capacitor, you can charge the capacitor with the
pulses of current that you generate by moving the magnet through the center of the coil.
This demo illustrates the principle of rectifying alternating current.