Electricity and Magnetism > Inductance DCS# ~5N20.15

AUTO IGNITION SYSTEM

auto ignition setup

APPARATUS
distributor 202-20-F1
coil 202-20-F1
spark plug 202-20-F1
car battery 101-cart
spst switch 101-09-D4
motor
101-10-D
video camera 202-09-D


DESCRIPTION
Use the motor to drive the distributor, close the switch to the battery, and show the sparking of the spark plug.  This demonstrates a practical application of inductors - the induction coil is used to provide sufficient voltage for breakdown of the air in the spark gap.

Use the video camera to show the spark plug:

spark plug


NOTES
setup

REFERENCES

A description of car ignition systems, with animations:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system.htm

Faraday's Law and auto ignition:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/ignition.html
 
A brief bio of Charles Kettering, who invented the auto ignition system:
http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/86.html .