Astronautical

I am trying to find a new idea for thias year's science fair. My previous idea proved to be impossible without certain resources. But I want do something involving engineering. Any ideas? Maybe something involving increasing fuel efficiency in anything? Or designing a device of some sort that could help people with with not so strong of grips that need immense grips for something they do? Haha. I am just going through a rediculous brainstorm. I don't want something too simple because I want to get to ISEF this year not just states. Thanks for any help. I'm willing to put in the work.

Ah thank you.

Oh duh. I guess it had just slipped me. Thanks! Well only the direction would be effective for protecting astronauts correct because it would repel the electrons. I don't see the purpose of the electric field. Also, just to be sure I can use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnet#Force_on_ferromagnetic_materials this correctly. Even if it is only a magnetic field and not an electromagnetic field both are powered by an electromagnet? Because an electromagnet is just a magnet that is powered by electricity. Why wouldn't it create a magnetic and electric field? I am going by this Lorentz Force and one of the variables is E (electric field in volts per meter). Do I need to find an equation for just magnettic fields not electromagnetic fields?

You do not put a negative sign in fron of the electron's charge, correct? I am just having trouble at this time of night I'm sorry. How do I calculate the speed from the kinetic energy? There are no plates. I am using a home-made electromagnet. With a battery and a nail and coils. So how would I do it then?

I think I am confused about this. Can you show me how to do it if was 10000 volts please? I just do not see where you are plugging in what number? Thanks. EDIT: Also, how do I calculate the electric field?

All I can see is a stamp that says these things AC 120V (is this volts) 60Hz 28 W EDIT: If any help it was manufactured in June 1987 and was built by KTV in Korea. style number: KT1210A How can I calculate the velocity (or v in this equation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_force) of the electron gun? Also, for the Lorentz Force.I know to use this B = equation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnet#Force_on_ferromagnetic_materials) to find B (or the magnetic field in teslas ). But how do I find E which is the electric field in volts per meter? Much thanks.

Alright cool, but how can I use the electron gun or the phosphor screen when it is out of the tv and not in the vacuum. I was thinking I might have to put the elevtromagnet by the tv and the magnetic field should go through the glass and block the electrons from the inside. I can prove it when one portion of the screen doesn't get a picture. Or is there away to make these parts work outside of the tv? Thanks.

Thank you! The more information I have the more preapared I will be. Also, just a question on one of your previous posts. What is the limit on the strength of a magnetic field before it starts causing harm to astronauts?

How would I be able to calculate the energy of the electron gun and convert that to the energy of the actual energy? Thanks. I never thought of the magnetic fields hurting the astronauts!

I do not want to simulate it with the same amount f energy. Just with the same particles. I can use some sort of math to convert the actual amount of energy I used to the actual amount of energy.

They do a bit more than ionise.... They're REALLY energetic, What makes "ionizing radiation" specifically such a problem? most shilding on spacecraft (and the magnetosphere) is to stop/reduce effects from teh solar wind. Is this becuase solar wind is the only problem or because they cannot figure out how to stop cosmic radiation? Beta negative radiation, which is the easiest to deal with in a lab and actually be usable (alphas get absorbed but very little air. Is the most dangerous in those situations as it can penetrate the skin but will get absorbed before it gets out the other side. Is just electrons. So an electron gun is firing beta negative radiation, but in a more controlled manner. Cosmic rays covers a very large range of particles, all of which are very high energy and only some of them are electrons. So the electron gun is similar to the solar wind. But how can it simulate cosmic rays which are 90% protons? Using the math like you stated below? Do I need to use math to convert the electron/protons? They're just charged particles, so they respond similarly to electrons, but electrons are significantly lighter but with the same charge, so a magnetic field of the same strength will have less of an effect on them. The maths for this isn't that difficult it's taught to 17 year olds in the UK, and I'm sure we'd happily help you with it. But I thought you said the magnetosphere would not stop cosmic radiation, only solar wind? Math for what, calculating the difference between the electrons and protons? edit: Oh I think I understand this part now! Because both cosmic rays and solar wind are about 90% protons. I need math to convert the weight from electrons, from the electron gun, to the weight of protons. I also need math to figure out the difference between the strength of my magnetic field and how much is actually needed to protect astronauts. Wow, that sounds difficult. But I am ready to figure it out. =D Just some other questions..... So an overall conclusion is that a strong enough magnetic field should protect from both cosmic rays and solar wind. Considering that they both are made of charged particles. For actually testing whether or not the radiation actually gets through the magnetic shield. I was thinking of placing something similar to this http://cgi.ebay.com/CD-V-777-2-RADIATION-DETECTION-KIT-CDV-715-1A-Retrofit_W0QQitemZ200240153092QQihZ010QQcategoryZ53154QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem inside the center of the shield. Would using a radiation detector or a phosphor screen be more effective for this task? A MAIN DETAIL: I do not just want to copy and test an idea that N.A.S.A. is working on a larger scale. So can anyone think of any important flaws that I can improve on for this idea? Like any other harm that this will not block but is related? I just want to improve this basic concept of NASA's and try to put a different spin on it. Again thanks for all help and answers (sorry if I am being a pest with all these questions)

Cosmic rays are ionizing radiation, aren't they? These can hurt the crew on these trips so my project will not use the same level as the actual thing but I want to test the idea on a small scale just to actually test it out. My option as of how I am going to apply the particles is either going to be using an electron gun or getting low-level ionizing radiation form my local university and they can help me use it safely. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ That is what my current issue is. Deciding between those options. Thanks. Alright awesome that takes care of the solar wind. But now the cosmic radiation which is 90% protons . How can I simulate that? Again thanks for all this amazing help from everyone! I am so pumped for this experiment!

So are you saying that the electron gun can be considered very similar to very low levels of ionizing radiation? I just do not want my results to be considered invalid by judges because I am trying to simulate something similar to cosmic radiation.

Where can I get a phosphor screen becaus eif I just type it on ebay it is expensive? Am I looking at the wrong thing or are they just pricey? Thanks for all this help That magnetic field is what I am trying to replicate on a smaller scale to see if it actually works. Are both cosmic radiation and solar radiation considered ionized radiation?

What is a phosphor screen? Also, would the magnetic field block/repel the electrons? I guess it would because of the negative charge.....sorry that was a dumb question =] How can I see the particles? Sorry for the dumb questions? I found on the internet this http://cgi.ebay.com/CD-V-777-2-RADIATION-DETECTION-KIT-CDV-715-1A-Retrofit_W0QQitemZ200240153092QQihZ010QQcategoryZ53154QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I was thinking I could place that in the center of the magnetic field and apply radiation to prove that it blocked it when the device shows that no radiation has been detected. Will the work the same with an electron gun? Thanks ahead. edit: Also, where could I get an electron gun.