Australia's Science Forum

Dear All - Just clarifying something! The resistors in the little clear screw-top plastic containers are to have water in the bottom when in use - is this right, and if so how much? I am assuming enough so as not to immerse/touch the coiled wire, is this correct? I have a teacher telling me he knows nothing about water in the container! Help please. Jude.

I really have no idea, but a resistor + liquid seems a recipe for disaster for this non physics person.

They are wire coil resistors, and they generate heat, like a little heating coil (like a jug element!) The water is to absorb the heat so that the plastic bottle does not melt. There is no problem in filling the container completely with water, just as long as the bit of paper that has the resistance value printed on it is taped to the OUTSIDE of the bottle, not left inside in the water. The other hassle is drying out the bottle after use so the wire does not go rusty.

I hope this helps

Ian

they are ment to have water in them.if you dont put water in the blow up!

TRUST me they DO blow up!
I didnt know that they needed water - was quite an exciting time!

So many gadgets I have no idea about.........

Thanks one and all, don't know what I'd do without you! Just love chemtalk! Cheers. Jude