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High-voltage build

mini Musical Tesla Coil

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

High voltageBuildAudio

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How it works

What this project is testing.

A Tesla coil is a resonant transformer: energy sloshes between electric and magnetic fields until high voltage appears at the top. In a musical coil, the sparks are pulsed fast enough to act like a speaker.

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The experiment demonstrates two ideas at once: resonance makes the high voltage possible, and the hot spark channel pushes on the air to create sound waves.

f_{0} = \frac{1}{2 π L C}

Tesla coils depend on resonant timing between inductance and capacitance.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit w 2 Helping Hands, 6 Extra Iron Tips, Lead-Free Solder, Solder Sucker, S/S Tweezers, °C/ºF Conversion, Auto Sleep & Calibration Support

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YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit

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BOJACK 3 Values 130 Pcs Solderless Breadboard 4 Pcs 830 Tie Points & 400 Tie Points & 126 Pcs Flexible Breadboard Jumper Wires

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BOJACK Solderless Breadboard Kit with 830/400 Tie-Point Boards and Flexible Jumper Wires

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EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

BNTECHGO 30 AWG Magnet Wire - Enameled Copper Wire - Enameled Magnet Winding Wire - 4 oz - 0.0098" Diameter 1 Spool Coil Natu

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BNTECHGO 30 AWG Magnet Wire, Enameled Copper Winding Wire, 4 oz Spool

$12.984.6(387)

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25 Values Resistor Kit 1 Ohm-1M Ohm with 5% 1/4W Carbon Film Resistors Assortment

resistorpassive electronics

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25-Value 1/4W Carbon Film Resistor Assortment Kit, 1 ohm-1M ohm

$9.994.7(4,500)

BOJACK 24Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit Range 0.1uF－1000uF

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BOJACK 24-Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit, 0.1uF-1000uF

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CHANZON 100pcs 5mm LED Diode Lights Assortment 10 Colors x 10pcs Diodes (Clear Transparent Lens) Emitting Lighting Bulb Lamp Assorted Kit Variety Color White Red Yellow Green Blue Orange UV Pink

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100pcs 5mm LED Diode Lights Assortment, 10 Colors

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BOJACK 10 Values 250 Pcs A1015 BC327 BC337 C1815 S8050 S8550 2N2222 2N2907 2N3904 2N3906 PNP NPN Power General Purpose Transistors Assortment Kit

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BOJACK 10-Value 250 Pcs PNP/NPN General Purpose Transistor Assortment Kit

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150 Pcs 15 Value 100 ohm- 2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor 6mm Potentiometer Assortment Kit

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150 Pcs 15-Value 100 ohm-2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor Potentiometer Assortment Kit

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BOJACK 20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor 10 uH to 10 mH 1 W Color Ring Inductor 1 Watt Assortment Kit

inductor / coilpassive electronics

20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor Assortment Kit, 1uH to 4.7mH, 0.5W Color Ring Inductors

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12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Jack Converter, 12 Volt LED Driver 24W Adapter Transformer for Strip Lights, Surveillance Cameras, External HDD, Monitor, CCTV (Pack of 1)

transformerpower

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Adapter Transformer

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General low-voltage transformer/adapter pick; match voltage/current and connector to the circuit.

Joytech Bluetooth Music Tesla Coil Arc Plasma Loudspeaker Wireless Transmission Experiment Desktop Toy Model SSTC SS02

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Joytech Bluetooth Music Tesla Coil Arc Plasma Loudspeaker Desktop Toy Model

$49.994.2(911)

High voltage/RF project. Prefer enclosed educational kits and add safety warnings. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries for Smoke Detector, Electronics & Audio, Reliable, 5-Year Shelf Life

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Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries

$12.694.7(242K)

General electronics battery pick; choose AA/AAA variants when the circuit calls for them.

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Jack Converter, 12 Volt LED Driver 24W Adapter Transformer for Strip Lights, Surveillance Cameras, External HDD, Monitor, CCTV (Pack of 1)

wall adapter / DC adapterpower

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Jack Converter, 12 Volt LED Driver 24W Adapter Transformer

$8.994.5(6,601)

General 12V wall adapter pick; match voltage/current, polarity, and connector to the circuit.

Easycargo 100pcs Heatsink Assortment Kit Small Cooler Aluminum Heat Sink Set for Cooling Laptop CPU GPU VGA RAM VRAM VRM IC LED MOSFET Transistor SCR Voltage Regulator (Without Thermal Tape)

cold sink / heat sinkthermal

Easycargo 100pcs Small Aluminum Heat Sink Assortment Kit

4.7(566)

StarTech.com 20g Tube CPU Thermal Paste Grease Compound for Heatsinks - heat grease - cpu paste - thermal compound

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StarTech.com Thermal Paste Compound

$5.92

ShillehTek Pre-soldered 3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack Breakout Board – TRRS Headphone/Video Jack Module for Arduino, Raspberry Pi,

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3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack Breakout Board with Screw Terminal

$8.39

Functional breakout pick; verify mono/stereo wiring and connector style. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

ElectroCookie Large PCB Prototype Board Kit Solderable Breadboards for Electronics Projects Compatible for DIY Arduino Soldering Projects, Gold-Plated (6 Multi-Pack, Blue)

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ElectroCookie Large PCB Prototype Board Kit, Solderable Breadboards for Electronics Projects

4.8(111)

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

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