Chyros

Hi guys,

I've heard magnesium powder ignites when a current passes through it. Now that sounds like a fun experiment. So, I'm trying to make an ignition device for it. I kinda suck at physics though, so I need your help.

I realise this is not an everyday request for you guys, but any help would be appreciated. I'm trying to make a very simple e-match device which I can use to get a current to run through the powder. So far, I've bought a long electrical cable with a lamp on/off switch in between, which has a plug so I can plug it right into a socket at home. I thought that fastening the cables onto a small wooden board, with the wire ends stripped and spaced apart, and piling a small amount of magnesium between the wires would make a good firing mechanism.

I'm afraid I might short circuit something though. So, I thought, maybe I should a resistance in the circuit, to reduce the current flowing, or replace the almost-too-simplistic switch with a pulse swith that would minimize firing time.

Anybody have any suggestions?