AN

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
ON

Tesla Coil
SUBMITTED TO
PHYSICS FACULTY OF V&C
PATEL ENGLISH SCHOOL

ANIL SIR

SUBMITTED BY
AARSH T. SHAH
12 Maths
TH

2024-25
CERTIFICATE

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
During the successful accomplishment
of this project, I was backed by many
people, I would commnend all of those
for their blessings and pledged
support.

Moreover, I would like to express my

gratitude towards my Principal, Mrs.
Salma Paleja and my Physics Teacher,
Mr Anil Trivedi who guided me
wherever needed and helped me
achieve this project with their valuable
inputs.

I am also thankful to my parents who

gave me such exposure to explore and
experiment during various phases of
this project.

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 INDEX
1. AIM OF PROJECT
2. INTRODUCTION
3. TERMS RELATED TO TESLA COIL
4. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOLID STATE TESLA
COIL AND TRADITIONAL SPARK GAP TESLA
COIL
5. MATERIALS REQUIRED
6. TOOLS
7. PROCEDURE
8. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
9. OBSERVATION
10. UNDERSTANDING HOW TESLA COIL WORKS
11. CONCLUSION
12. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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 AIM OF PROJECT
To create a small solid state
tesla coil to understand how a
tesla coil acctualy works. And
also transmit wireless energy
which is sufficient to glow a CFL
bulb

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 INTRODUCTION

The enigmatic Tesla coil, a brainchild of visionary

inventor Nikola Tesla, continues to capture
scientific curiosity. This project delves into the
inner workings of this device, exploring its ability
to generate high-voltage, low-current electricity.
By investigating the interplay between its
primary and secondary coils, we aim to
understand the principles of electromagnetic
induction and resonance that fuel the Tesla coil's
fascinating electrical displays. Through
experimentation and analysis, this project seeks
to illuminate the scientific concepts behind this
captivating invention and explore its potential
applications.

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TERMS RELATED TO TESLA
COIL
1. PRIMERY COIL : the primary coil acts as the
conductor and frequency regulator in the
initial stage of the Tesla coil's operation,
paving the way for the generation of the
impressive high-voltage sparks in the
secondary coil.
2. SECONDARY COIL : the secondary coil acts as
the transformer and voltage amplifier in the
Tesla coil, taking the initial energy boost from
the primary circuit and transforming it into the
high-voltage signature of this fascinating
device.
3. TRANSISTOR: transistors are the tiny
workhorses of the electronic world, enabling
amplification, switching, and the creation of
complex and powerful electronic devices.
4. ELECTRO MAGNETIC INDUCTION:
Electromagnetic induction is when a changing
magnetic field creates an electric current in a
nearby conductor. Think of it as a moving
magnet inducing a voltage in a wire, causing
current to flow.

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 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SOLID STATE TESLA COIL
AND TRADITIONAL SPARK
GAP TESLA COIL
A small solid-state Tesla coil (SSTC):
The Spark Gap Tesla Coil Analogy:
Imagine a classic Tesla coil with a spark gap. The
spark gap allows a sudden discharge of current
from a high voltage source (primary circuit) into a
coil (primary coil). This creates a rapidly
collapsing magnetic field.
Solid-State Replacement:
In an SSTC, we replace the spark gap with a solid-
state switch, typically a transistor or a pair of
transistors. This switch rapidly turns the primary
current on and off, mimicking the action of the
spark gap.
The Magic:
When the switch turns on the primary current, a
collapsing magnetic field is induced. This,
through electromagnetic induction, creates a
current in the secondary coil. The matching

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resonance in the secondary circuit allows this
current to build up and reach a much higher
voltage compared to the primary circuit. This
high voltage is what creates the characteristic
sparks from the topload.
Small Size, Big Show:
By using high-frequency switching and careful
design of the coils and resonant circuits, a small
SSTC can achieve impressive voltage outputs.

2N2222A Transistor

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 MATERIALS REQUIRED
1. PVC pipe (around 10 cm length)
2. Insulated copper wire (26 gauge)
3. 2N2222A transistor (or equivalent)
4. 2.2 kΩ resistor (quarter-watt rating or higher)
5. 9v battery (or similar low voltage source)
6. SPST (single-pole, single-throw) switch
7. Optional: LED, heat sink for transistor,
aluminum foil
8. CFL bulb

Tools
1. Wire cutters/strippers
2. Soldering iron (optional, for stronger
connections)
3. Sandpaper (for roughening surfaces for
better connection)

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 PROCEDURE
1. Cut a PVC pipe: As before, cut a PVC pipe to a
10 cm long piece. This will act as a former for
your coil.
2. Wind the secondary coil: Use the insulated
copper wire (26 gauge) to wind the secondary
coil on the PVC pipe in a clockwise direction.
Make sure the windings are close together
but not overlapping. You can estimate the
number of turns by experimentation, but
generally more turns will result in a stronger
magnetic field.
3. Transistor: You'll still be using a 2N2222A
transistor.
4. Battery and Emitter: Connect the negative
terminal of the 9V battery to the emitter pin
of the transistor.
5. Base resistor: Connect a 2.2k ohm resistor to
the base pin of the transistor. The other end
of the resistor connects to the SPST switch.
6. SPST switch and primary coil: Connect the
positive terminal of the battery to the other
terminal of the SPST switch. On the same
terminal of the switch where the resistor is

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 connected, attach one end of a separate
piece of insulated wire (this will be your
primary coil)
7. Primary coil and Collector: The other end
of the primary coil wire connects to the
collector pin of the transistor.
8. Secondary coil connection: One end of the
secondary coil (the one not previously
connected) connects to the base pin of the
transistor. The other end of the secondary
coil connects to an aluminum foil ball.
9. LED (optional): If you want an LED to indicate
on/off state, connect the positive lead of the
LED to the emitter pin of the transistor and
the negative lead of the LED to the base pin
of the transistor (in parallel with the
secondary coil connection).
10. Heat sink (optional): A heat sink on the
transistor is recommended, especially if you
plan to use the circuit for extended periods.

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CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

ARRANGEMENT

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 OBSERVATION
Our solid-state Tesla coil transcends the need for
wires! By holding a CFL bulb or neon light near
the coil, you witness the magic of wireless energy
transfer firsthand. These bulbs illuminate due to
electromagnetic induction – a testament to the
power harnessed by the Tesla coil. This is a
compelling demonstration of the technology's
potential to deliver electricity without physical
contact, a concept that Nikola Tesla himself
envisioned over a century ago.

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 UNDERSTANDING HOW
TESLA COIL WORKS
Building a small solid state Tesla coil can be a
great way to grasp the basic principles behind
how these fascinating devices work. By
constructing the primary and secondary coils,
you'll see firsthand how a changing current in
one coil induces a current in the other. The
challenge of tuning the secondary coil to
resonate with the primary circuit emphasizes the
importance of resonance in maximizing voltage
output. The project also touches on how
transistors act as switches, controlling the flow
of current in the primary coil to create the pulsed
signal that "excites" the secondary coil. While a
small Tesla coil won't create huge sparks, it can
be a rewarding way to build a basic
understanding of the transformer effect and the
importance of resonance in high voltage
applications.

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 CONCLUSION
While our current Tesla coil is a homage to the
visionary work of Sir Nikola Tesla, its size and
power limit its ability to showcase the true
potential of this technology. Unlike its larger
counterparts, which can unleash awe-inspiring,
high-voltage arcs, this miniature version provides
a glimpse into the fundamental principles behind
Tesla's invention. However, this is just the
beginning! With further experimentation and
refinement, we can push the boundaries of our
design, creating a coil that not only captures the
essence of Tesla's brilliance but also produces
the captivating electrical displays synonymous
with his groundbreaking work.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://gemini.google.com/ [For gathering
information and enhance quality of words
used]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_poBNpJHuNc [To make tesla coil]
canva [To design report file]
Ankur Hobby center [materials for making of
tesla coil]
https://www.circuit-diagram.org/editor/ [To
create circuit diagram]

thank

you

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