Re: [Phys-l] Sparks

[carmelo@pacific.net.sg]

Quoting John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>:
> On 05/05/2008 09:09 PM, Ken Fox wrote:
>
> > I want to say that the conditions for the sparks happen just before contact
> > and again just after when the field is strong enough even with  12 V
> > potential.
>
> I don't want to quibble about the distinction between "just before contact"
> and "right at the first contact".  The distinction is unimportant, and is
> probably only a matter of definition.  If the wires are close enough to
> conduct electricity, it is either contact or "virtual" contact.

If the time between "just before contact" and "right at the first  
contact" can be less than 10^-10 sec, then voltage much smaller than  
12 V can also generate sparks. :)


Alphonsus