tag:techtv.mit.edu,:Array/234801680 2008-07-18 11:31:42 -0400 MIT Department of Physics Technical Services Group <p>A 100 uF oil-filled capacitor is charged to 3 KV. This takes approximately 15 minutes, creating a charge on the capacitor that could be lethal. The capacitor is then discharged through a 12" length of 30 gauge bare iron wire.</p><p>When the high voltage current flows though high resistance wire, the bonds between iron molecules are shattered, resulting in a loud bang, a shower of sparks, and a cascade of wispy filaments floating through the air.</p><p>Not all of the charge on the capacitor is disharged through the wire, so a shorting bar must be used to release the remaining charge. </p> 121