» Horizontal Electromagnetic Tuning Fork (0330)

Immagini

DESCRIPTION

Exhibit 330 is a horizontal electromagnetic tuning fork consisting of two parts, the horizontal tuning fork and its electronics. The tuning fork is mounted on a vertical panel which can be slid on the heavy metal base which has adjusting screws to guarantee the precise horizontal position. On one arm there is a writing point while the other arm has a compensating weight. On the vertical panel there is an electromagnet inserted between the arms of the tuning fork along with electrical connectors.

The electronics part also has a heavy metal base on which is fixed a closed box containing connectors to an alternating current source, a rectifier and ammeter, and connectors to the continuous current needed for the electromagnet inserted between the arm of the tuning fork.

Since the frequency of the tuning fork is high respect to human reaction times, it is convenient to determine the number of oscillations in a human characteristic time. One method uses the writing point to mark white paper covered by carbon paper on a rotating and raising cylinder which rotates at a slow pace. A time base can be established by a slow pendulum with a period of two seconds which makes contact every second with a mercury bath. This contact is sent through a step-up transformer to create a spark on the white paper where the writing point is marking the tuning fork oscillations. The number of oscillation marks between sparks is then the frequency of the tuning fork.

ISCRIZIONI

Inciso su una targhetta avvitata sull'apparecchio: "Vaschetti e Masera, Istituto di Fisica, Via Pietro Giuria 1, Torino"

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] E. Perucca, "Guida pratica per esperienze didattiche di Fisica Sperimentale", Nicola Zanichelli Editore,Bologna,1937. Pagina 324.

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