Author Topic: Need a night light? Plug in a pickle (Read 423 times)

Wolfala · « **on:** August 31, 2006, 12:52:12 PM »

Copied from http://www.darylscience.com/Demos/PickleLight.html

The first time I saw this was at an AAPT meeting in Philly PA by Physics Legend, Harry Rheams, currently of Eastern HS in NJ. The procedure is simple:

1. Get a pickle.
2. Jam electrical wires into opposite ends of said pickle.
3. Plug wires into AC socket.

Notice, "Plug in..." comes LAST! Keep in mind, you are dealing with LIVE AC! Use common sense and all possible caution! I grabbed ahold of one of the wires while discussing it infront of a group of Physics Pholks at Rutgers a few years back and got a rude awakening! Made the demo much more interesting for the audience, but ruined my day (not to mention my shorts...).

Lights should be dimmed to see the effect. I use a simple lamp cord ripped from an old lamp, duh... Expose the wiring at the ends of each wire. Wrap the wires around 16d (16 'penny') nails. Either clamp wires onto nails with aligator clips or tape in place. It's that simple.

Now, place the pickle on a non-metal platform. I use a hunk of 12"x12" pine shelving. This insulated the electrical stuff from any nearby metal on the table. Insert one nail into each end of the pickle. HINT: I inset the nails so they are perpendicular to each other. ie So if the pickle rolls, only one of the nails will contact the wood.

Now, step back and plug in the wires. Nothing will be immediately noticeable. About 15 or so seconds later, a loud buzzing sound is heard. Then, suddenly, the pickle lights up like a little green flourescent light bulb! It will also smoke a little and stink. Ignore these effects...

Harry did this with a hot dog and forks instead of a pickle and nails. Use your imagination!

For a more detailed explanation why this works: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99623.htm

S!

Wolf

Airscrew · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2006, 01:04:11 PM »

Next time I go to the store I need to ask them where they keep the 60watt and 150watt pickles.

icemaw · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2006, 01:05:28 PM »

do they vibrate too?

ASTAC · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2006, 04:42:08 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by icemaw
do they vibrate too?

Grab one while it's plugged in and find out....

I bet you to the 60Hz Dance

lukster · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2006, 05:51:03 PM »

I don't think even Edison tried pickles.

Meatwad · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2006, 05:54:37 PM »

thats freakin awesome!

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:55:34 PM »

"Harry did this with a hot dog and forks instead of a pickle "

LMAO I remember my mother telling my my father used to cook hotdogs this way for chuckles

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:57:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ASTAC
Grab one while it's plugged in and find out....

I bet you to the 60Hz Dance

Ive zapped myself a few times by accident.

Aint all that bad.

It'll startle the hell out of ya and wake ya up fer sure.
but it aint THAT bad.

Actually I kinda liked it:)

Charon · « **Reply #8 on:** September 01, 2006, 09:26:49 AM »

Can you plug the pickle into a potato?

http://www.unit5.org/christjs/Potato%20Battery.htm

Charon

dmf · « **Reply #9 on:** September 01, 2006, 10:29:09 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by icemaw
do they vibrate too?

That is just wrong

Red Tail 444 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2006, 11:01:29 AM »

Well now I can light my house when the power goes out...