What Causes Sparks Between Charged Metal Plates in a Pendulum Experiment?

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In summary, the experiment involved two charged metal plates with a pendulum coated in aluminum foil between them. When the plates were too close, sparks occurred between the pendulum and the plates. These sparks are due to the charges moving from the plates to the aluminum foil and creating a plasma in the air, which is able to conduct electricity. This is similar to how lightning is formed on a larger scale.
  • #1
jsmith613
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I saw the following expt:

Two metal plates of zinc, one charged + the other charged - with a pendulum coated in Aluminium foil between the plates. When the plates were too close, sparks arose between the pendulum and the plates.

Is this due to the escape of charges. If not, then what are the sparks due to
 
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The sparks would be the charges moving from the plates to the aluminum foil. Air is a good insulator of charges, usually charges cannot flow in air; however, if you have a high enough voltage you can produce these discharges (in essence turning the air around the moving charges into plasma, which DOES conduct electricity). This is basically lightning (in minuscule form).
 
  • #3
Matterwave said:
in essence turning the air around the moving charges into plasma, which DOES conduct electricity)

are you saying that the air disperses
 

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