5F15.20 - Hot Dog Cooker

Code Number:
5F15.20
Demo Title:
Hot Dog Cooker
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
AC Power
Area of Study:
Electricity and Magnetism
Equipment:
Fork assemblies on sliding rod, hot dogs, switch
Procedure:

See also 5D15.20 in Chemistry and Physics of Everyday Experience.

Place the sliding forks on stands spaced at the appropriate distance to easily support a hot dog from each end.  Once the hot dog is in place turn on the switch.  After about 45 seconds visible steam should be seen coming from the hot dog.  It should also turn colors as it cooks.  

NOTE:  While the switch acts as one safety, it is advisable that the apparatus be unplugged while placing the hot dog.

LED's may be placed along the length of the hot dog to show the voltage drop along the cooking hot dog resistor.  An added enhancement is to use clear case LED's that run the full spectrum of colors (from Red to White).

References:
  • Wojciech Dindorf, "Dance of the Hot Dogs", TPT, Vol. 39, # 6, Sept. 2001, p. 336.
  • Robert M. Graham and Howard S. Izawa, "Electrical Heating with a Nonconventional Resistance, A Cake", TPT, Vol. 16, # 3, March 1978, p. 181.
  • Robert F. Neff, "Hot Dog Conduction, an Edible Experiment", TPT, Vol. 13, # 7, Oct. 1975, p. 50.
  • E-425: "Hot Dog Cooker",  DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook. 
  • Robert L. Wild, "Conductivity in Liquids and Hot Dogs", Low-Cost Physics Demonstrations, # 134, p. 79.


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