DENJIRO: Thunderstorms occur a lot in summer. Lightning can cause significant damage, so research is essential for safety. In order to do this, lightning has to be artificially created using high voltages. A Marx generator is a device used for this purpose.
This is a model of the generator. Homemade capacitors are lined up. Let me turn on the device.
Onscreen text: High voltage over 100,000 volts!
DENJIRO: We see discharge. How do these capacitors create electric discharge of such a high voltage? Let's perform an experiment here. We'll start by storing 10,000 V of electricity in a capacitor. Here's what discharge from a single capacitor looks like.
Next, we'll line up five capacitors, each storing 10,000 volts of electricity, and connect them in a series. Let's discharge the capacitors. By connecting the capacitors in a series, the voltage increased, and discharge occurred at a longer distance. If each capacitor contains 10,000 volts, we can discharge 50,000 volts by connecting five in a series. This is a crucial aspect of Marx generators. By storing tens of thousands of volts in each capacitor and lining them up in a series, we get a highvoltage discharge.
If power lines are hit with lightning, there is a risk of a power outage. So, how are these power lines protected? There are ground wires placed above the power lines that protect them from lightning. When lightning strikes... it hits the ground wire instead of the power line, because lightning hits objects that are up high. That's how power lines are protected.
I hope energy will bring you all happiness. Our magic word is "Happy Energy!"