Nuts & Volts - July 2004

The Enigma Machine — Part 2

through all of the magnets. It’s important to realize that (in theory) the propagation distance can be arbitrarily long. It simply depends on how many magnets you line up.

This explains why there is no feeling when the effect passes through you. Your molecules are rotating, as opposed to an electric current passing. Please take this molecular explanation at face value for now. I’ll provide ample evidence for this mechanism in a subsequent article.

Why does the finger have to be dry? The reason appears to be a skin effect, which is described below.

Skin Effect

Note: There is a different “skin effect” that has to do with the distribution of an electric current through wires at high frequencies. At high frequencies, the electric current stays near the surface of the wire. Hence, the name “skin effect.” That effect is not at all related to the following.

It was quickly noted that a damp finger does not show the vibration effect. However, if the finger was insulated from the bare metal plate, the effect returned. A close examination of the vibration effect explains why.

In order for the electrical attraction to occur, there must be a positive and negative charge difference. Obviously, there can be no charge difference if there is an electrical connection. If there is no charge difference, there is no charge attraction. This is the reason that the finger must be dry or that a thin electrical insulator is needed. This insulator can be a thin piece of plastic wrap or a thin layer of paint. Clearly, the thinner the insulator, the greater the effect, because the charges can be brought closer together.

More Vibration Experiments

You can devise your own experiments to test this. Put

Enigma Safety Notice

Please Use Common Sense ...

1. This article deals with high voltage and high voltage effects. When built and used as described, it is felt to be completely safe. Improper use and construction can cause electrical shock.

2. Several experiments demonstrate effects that pass through the body of the user. Therefore, it is not recommended that anyone with a pacemaker or other embedded electrical device participate in these experiments, nor should it be used in very close proximity to any electrical equipment where electromagnetic interference could cause safety concerns.

3. Several experiments have shown subtle biological effects on plants after continuous exposure of days to weeks.

JULY 2004

Figure 5. The neon lamp glows much more brightly and at a farther distance from the machine if the plate is used. (The spacers are two paperback books.)

the metal plate on the box and hold thin plastic wrap tightly around your finger. (The plastic wrap on the metal plate sticks too much.) Try different things — like an apple or a banana or a piece of anodized aluminum.