A Tesla coil is used to light fluorescent tubes or neon lamps without any electrical connection, showing how high frequency alternating currents can transfer energy wirelessly.

1. Set up the Tesla coil securely on an insulated surface.
2. Ensure proper grounding of the coil and that all safety barriers are in place.
3. Power on the Tesla coil to begin generating a high voltage, high frequency electric field.
4. Hold a fluorescent tube or neon lamp near the coil without touching the coil itself.
5. Observe the lamp glowing due to induced currents from the electric field.

Tesla Coil Demonstration - Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD):

Tesla Coil Demonstrations - The Physics Channel with Kenny Lee:

📄 The Tesla Coil - The Wonders of Physics: https://wonders.physics.wisc.edu/tesla-coil/

• Test different types of lamps such as neon signs, compact fluorescent bulbs, or larger fluorescent tubes.
• Vary the distance of the lamp from the Tesla coil to observe how brightness decreases with distance.
• Use different shapes or sizes of Tesla coil top-loads to see how field strength and range are affected.

• Keep people with pacemakers or implanted devices at a safe distance.
• Maintain good ventilation to avoid ozone buildup from the sparks.
• Do not touch the Tesla coil or the lamp while the coil is operating.
• Keep sensitive electronics far away to prevent interference or damage.

• Why does the lamp glow even though it is not connected by wires? (The Tesla coil produces a strong oscillating electric field that excites the gas inside the lamp, causing it to emit light.)
• How does the brightness change as you move the lamp further from the Tesla coil? (It becomes dimmer because the strength of the electric field decreases with distance.)
• What real-world technologies are based on wireless power transfer like this demonstration? (Examples include wireless phone charging and some proposed wireless power transmission systems.)