Sparks in Air - Revision history

Cgrupp3: /* Computational Model */

2023-11-27T23:14:22Z

Computational Model

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	==Computational Model==		==Computational Model==
			One can use a computational model to represent the vector at a specific point for the electric charge of an electric spark as in emanates from a point.
	https://glowscript.org/#/user/Christian_Grupp/folder/MyPrograms/program/LightningStrike.		https://glowscript.org/#/user/Christian_Grupp/folder/MyPrograms/program/LightningStrike.

Cgrupp3 at 23:13, 27 November 2023

2023-11-27T23:13:38Z

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	Should our answer be regarded as accurate? Knowing that air molecules, on average, already carry some kinetic energy before being stricken by accelerated ions, and that some of the ions will travel a much longer distance than the mean free path before hitting an air molecule, it is not surprising that our simplified calculation overestimates the amount of field required to cause a spark.		Should our answer be regarded as accurate? Knowing that air molecules, on average, already carry some kinetic energy before being stricken by accelerated ions, and that some of the ions will travel a much longer distance than the mean free path before hitting an air molecule, it is not surprising that our simplified calculation overestimates the amount of field required to cause a spark.

			==Computational Model==
			https://glowscript.org/#/user/Christian_Grupp/folder/MyPrograms/program/LightningStrike.

	==History==		==History==

Cgrupp3: Rewrote and expounded upon ideas in the history section.

2023-11-26T05:47:03Z

Rewrote and expounded upon ideas in the history section.

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	==History==		==History==
	~~Greek philosopher Thales~~ of ~~Miletus was~~ the first to ~~make~~ the ~~discovery~~ of sparks by ~~making~~ the ~~observation that~~ amber ~~when rubbed with~~ cloth ~~and attracted to other objects leads to electrification and thus produces sparks. Although it~~ is ~~well known that~~ the ~~greeks were aware~~ of the ~~phenomenon~~ of electrical sparks, Leibniz ~~formalized his observations of electric sparks~~ in ~~1671. In~~ 1716, Newton ~~observes~~ "miniature sheet lightning". Franklin ~~makes similar observations~~. In 1729~~, Gray discovers~~ the ~~conductivity~~ of ~~metals~~. In 1745, Haller ~~reports~~ that lightning tends to ~~travel along~~ metal ~~objects~~, just ~~like~~ sparks. ~~In 1749~~ Benjamin Franklin ~~formalizes~~ his ~~idea~~ for ~~the~~ experiment that would ~~contribute his description~~ of electricity~~, and~~ in 1750 ~~he suggests~~ the idea ~~for~~ the lightning rod. ~~In one of the most famous of Ben~~ Franklin's ~~experiments he proved that he could~~ extract sparks from clouds during thunderstorms.		While the presence of lightning and other electrical phenomena have made electrical sparks a core element of human history, the first person to discover that the manipulation of objects can be used to produce sparks, (by the rubbing of amber and cloth), is the ancient Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus. This observation is credited with helping to discover the existence of electrical sparks. Electrical sparks were known to the Greeks, but it was not until 1671 that the eminent mathematician and philosopher Leibniz codified these discoveries.

			Looking ahead in time, in 1716, Sir Isaac Newton reported seeing "miniature sheet lightning," a phenomenon that Benjamin Franklin would later report seeing as well. Franklin was a pivotal player in the study of electricity and made significant advances in the area. Stephen Gray's discovery of metal conductivity in 1729 laid the groundwork for our understanding of how electricity may move through various materials.

			An important discovery was made in 1745 when Albrecht von Haller discovered that lightning tends to follow metal things, just as the sparks seen in previous studies. Building on this realization, Benjamin Franklin developed his concepts for an experiment that would profoundly advance our knowledge of electricity in 1749. By 1750, Franklin had proposed the ground-breaking idea of the lightning rod, realizing its ability to protect buildings from lightning's destructive power.

			Benjamin Franklin's ability to extract sparks from clouds during thunderstorms is one of his most famous experiments, and it served as additional evidence of his contributions to the understanding of electricity. Over decades, the understanding of electric sparks in the air developed through a series of observations, tests, and ground-breaking concepts. Each important person contributed significantly to the changing history of electrical phenomena.

	==Connectedness==		==Connectedness==

Cgrupp3 at 05:41, 26 November 2023

2023-11-26T05:41:02Z

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	==Connectedness==		==Connectedness==
	[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning] One of the most common displays of sparks in air occur during thunderstorms in the form of lightning. Lightning is essentially a large spark between the earth's surface and the surface of a cloud.		[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning] One of the most common displays of sparks in air occur during thunderstorms in the form of lightning. Lightning is essentially a large spark between the earth's surface and the surface of a cloud.
	[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)}Ionized air is also known as plasma, which most notably occurs ~~inside~~ the sun.		[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)]Ionized air is also known as plasma, which most notably occurs as a result of the fusion which the sun undergoes as a result of it's inward gravitational pressure.

	==References==		==References==

Cgrupp3 at 04:07, 26 November 2023

2023-11-26T04:07:31Z

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	'''Claimed by Amani Petersen(Fall 2016)'''		'''Claimed by Amani Petersen(Fall 2016)'''
	'''Edited by Pearl Ruparel(Fall 2017)'''		'''Edited by Pearl Ruparel(Fall 2017)'''
			'''Edited by Christian Grupp(Fall 2023)'''

	==Introduction==		==Introduction==

Pruparel3 at 04:22, 30 November 2017

2017-11-30T04:22:22Z

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	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
	~~The~~ commonly observed phenomenon~~, known as a electric spark,~~ occurs when a strong electric field ionizes molecules of a normally neutral substance such as air. By breaking down the molecules into ions, the electric field creates a pathway of charge in which current can easily flow. Regularly identified by their sudden bright light and popping sound, sparks have been a point of interest for humans since the beginning of recorded history.		Electric spark is a commonly observed phenomenon that occurs when a strong electric field ionizes molecules of a normally neutral substance such as air. By breaking down the molecules into ions, the electric field creates a pathway of charge in which current can easily flow. Regularly identified by their sudden bright light and popping sound, sparks have been a point of interest for humans since the beginning of recorded history.

	==The Physical Model==		==The Physical Model==

Pruparel3: /* References */

2017-11-30T04:15:43Z

References

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	[http://demoweb.physics.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/Physics6B_Exp4.pdf] UCLA Physics: Van de Graaff		[http://demoweb.physics.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/Physics6B_Exp4.pdf] UCLA Physics: Van de Graaff

			[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebB-D61XDM] Youtube Video: Van de Graaff Generator

	==Category==		==Category==
	[[Fields]]		[[Fields]]

Pruparel3: /* Van de Graaf Generator */

2017-11-30T04:14:58Z

Van de Graaf Generator

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	As the charged particles move through, the air, they are constantly recombining with other ions in the process of random motion, before being again knocked apart by an accelerated charge. Sparks produce light because when molecules recombine, they move to a lower energy state, and emit the difference in energy as a photon. These continual reactions produce a lot of heat, which cases the air gap to rapidly expand and make the sound we hear when a spark occurs.		As the charged particles move through, the air, they are constantly recombining with other ions in the process of random motion, before being again knocked apart by an accelerated charge. Sparks produce light because when molecules recombine, they move to a lower energy state, and emit the difference in energy as a photon. These continual reactions produce a lot of heat, which cases the air gap to rapidly expand and make the sound we hear when a spark occurs.

	==Van de ~~Graaf~~ Generator==		==Van de Graaff Generator==
	Van de Graaff generator can produce a voltage of over 10 million volts on its spherical cover. It has many uses. Such as in nuclear physics, the high voltage can be used to accelerate various kinds of charged particles, like protons, electrons etc. Moreover, the generator can be used to demonstrate many interesting phenomena of static electricity such as producing an electric spark. Through these phenomena, we can understand more about the nature of static electricity.A Van de Graaf static electric generator can produce over 400,000 volts of potential energy. This is sufficient to send a spark from the generator globe to another metal sphere over 50 cm or 20 inches away. High voltages can be estimated roughly by how far they will make a spark jump in air. Static charges that jump a centimeter general involve 10,000 – 30,000 V.		Van de Graaff generator can produce a voltage of over 10 million volts on its spherical cover. It has many uses. Such as in nuclear physics, the high voltage can be used to accelerate various kinds of charged particles, like protons, electrons etc. Moreover, the generator can be used to demonstrate many interesting phenomena of static electricity such as producing an electric spark. Through these phenomena, we can understand more about the nature of static electricity.A Van de Graaf static electric generator can produce over 400,000 volts of potential energy. This is sufficient to send a spark from the generator globe to another metal sphere over 50 cm or 20 inches away. High voltages can be estimated roughly by how far they will make a spark jump in air. Static charges that jump a centimeter general involve 10,000 – 30,000 V.

	[[File:Sparks.png]][http://www.hk-phy.org/iq/van_de_graaff/van_de_graaff_e.html] This shows how a Van de ~~Graaf~~ Generator works		[[File:Sparks.png]][http://www.hk-phy.org/iq/van_de_graaff/van_de_graaff_e.html] This shows how a Van de Graaff Generator works

	===Producing the Electric Spark===		===Producing the Electric Spark===
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	Youtube Video of how Van de Graaff can be used to create electric sparks: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebB-D61XDM]		Youtube Video of how Van de Graaff can be used to create electric sparks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebB-D61XDM

	==A Mathematical Model==		==A Mathematical Model==

Pruparel3: /* History */

2017-11-30T03:54:24Z

History

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 29 November 2017
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	==History==		==History==
	Although it is well known that the greeks were aware of the phenomenon of electrical sparks, Leibniz formalized his observations of electric sparks in 1671. In 1716, Newton observes "miniature sheet lightning". Franklin makes similar observations. In 1729, Gray discovers the conductivity of metals. In 1745, Haller reports that lightning tends to travel along metal objects, just like sparks. In 1749 ~~Ben~~ Franklin formalizes his idea for the experiment that would contribute his description of electricity, and in 1750 he suggests the idea for the lightning rod.		Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus was the first to make the discovery of sparks by making the observation that amber when rubbed with cloth and attracted to other objects leads to electrification and thus produces sparks. Although it is well known that the greeks were aware of the phenomenon of electrical sparks, Leibniz formalized his observations of electric sparks in 1671. In 1716, Newton observes "miniature sheet lightning". Franklin makes similar observations. In 1729, Gray discovers the conductivity of metals. In 1745, Haller reports that lightning tends to travel along metal objects, just like sparks. In 1749 Benjamin Franklin formalizes his idea for the experiment that would contribute his description of electricity, and in 1750 he suggests the idea for the lightning rod. In one of the most famous of Ben Franklin's experiments he proved that he could extract sparks from clouds during thunderstorms.

	==Connectedness==		==Connectedness==
	[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning] One of the most common displays of sparks in air occur during thunderstorms in the form of lightning. Lightning is essentially a large spark between the earth's surface and the surface of a cloud.		[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning] One of the most common displays of sparks in air occur during thunderstorms in the form of lightning. Lightning is essentially a large spark between the earth's surface and the surface of a cloud.

Pruparel3 at 02:25, 30 November 2017

2017-11-30T02:25:04Z

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	===Producing the Electric Spark===		===Producing the Electric Spark===
	When a small grounded metal ball is placed close to the spherical cover of the generator, the strong electric field will cause the charge to leap towards the ball, producing a large amount of ions and electrons in air. Since the energy of the ions are higher than that of the neutral molecules, they will release their energy spontaneously and produce a spark, which is a discharge in air. One of the most common examples of this is lightning which is a discharge phenomenon in which charge leaps from a cloud to another or to the ground.		When a small grounded metal ball is placed close to the spherical cover of the generator, the strong electric field will cause the charge to leap towards the ball, producing a large amount of ions and electrons in air. Since the energy of the ions are higher than that of the neutral molecules, they will release their energy spontaneously and produce a spark, which is a discharge in air. One of the most common examples of this is lightning which is a discharge phenomenon in which charge leaps from a cloud to another or to the ground.


			Youtube Video of how Van de Graaff can be used to create electric sparks: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebB-D61XDM]

	==A Mathematical Model==		==A Mathematical Model==