The star on the HP-15C's display screen

[Bill (Smithville NJ)]

(09-28-2015 02:56 PM)Dave Shaffer Wrote:  Try loading your water pistol with salt water and then squirting into a 120 VAC socket! Makes a wonderful arc until the circuit breaker blows. Tried only in the bathroom of the men's dorm when I was in college (many(!) years ago).

I'm guessing most of us here tried stuff like this at some time or another.

In grade school, I wanted to listen to the World Series Baseball Game during class. I used a small crystal radio that required an antenna to work properly. I had already done this at home, so thought no problem doing it in class. I sat in the back of the room next to an electrical outlet. If the antenna clip was attached to the ground side of a two wire outlet, it worked as a wonderful antenna. Unfortunately, I connected to the hot side of the outlet, which grounded out through the clip to the metal outlet cover plate. What a beautiful spark and pop. The clip melted and then disconnected. I don't know if it tripped fuse/breaker or not. Fortunately, the teacher never noticed anything amiss.

The fun days of learning how stuff worked (and don't work) just by trying it.

Bill
Smithville, NJ