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Who was the pioneer who discovered the electric spark? Breakthroughs from Leibniz to Franklin!
An electrical spark is a sudden electrical discharge that occurs when a high enough electric field creates an ionized conductive path. This phenomenon is common in air or other gases. When the applied electric field exceeds the dielectric breakdown strength of the medium, an electric spark will be generated. This brilliant light is accompanied by a discharge and is accompanied by a crisp crackling sound, which is undoubtedly impressive. The study of electric sparks is not only a part of physics, but also a journey of mankind exploring the mysteries of electricity.
The history of electric sparks
The history of electric sparks can be traced back to the 17th century. In 1671, German philosopher and mathematician Leibniz discovered that sparks are related to electrical phenomena. Later, in 1708, Samuel Wall conducted experiments to produce sparks by rubbing amber. Time passed to 1752, Thomas-François Dalibald, under the guidance of Benjamin Franklin, asked a retired French cavalryman, Coffier, to collect thunder and lightning, thus proving the similarity between thunder and electricity.
In Franklin's famous kite experiment, he successfully extracted sparks from clouds during a thunderstorm.
Application of electric spark
Ignition source
Electric sparks are widely used in the ignition plug of gasoline internal combustion engines to ignite the mixture of fuel and air through an electric arc. During this process, an electrical spark occurs between the insulated center electrode and the ground terminal. In addition, flame igniters use an electric spark to start combustion on some stoves and gas stoves, replacing a flame pilot.
Wireless communication
The spark gap transmitter uses the spark gap to generate radio frequency electromagnetic radiation and can be used as a transmitter for wireless communications. This device was widely used in the early days of radio between 1887 and 1916, when it was replaced by vacuum tube systems.
Metal processing
In metal processing, electrical sparks are used in a variety of techniques, including electrical discharge machining (EDM), a machining method that uses spark discharge to remove material from a workpiece. Additionally, spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a sintering technology that uses pulsed direct current through conductive powders.
Chemical Analysis
The light produced by electrical sparks can be used in spark emission spectroscopy. High-energy pulsed lasers can also be used to generate electrical sparks, a technique called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In addition, spark discharge can also be used in ion generation in mass spectrometry.
Potential harm
Although electric sparks are widely used, there are also potential dangers. Electrical sparks can ignite flammable materials such as liquids, gases and vapors. Even a small electrostatic discharge can be enough to cause an accident, which makes sparks must be fully paid attention to and controlled in industrial environments.
Higher voltage sparks have the ability to jump greater distances and may cause more violent discharges.
In addition, when the human body comes into contact with high-voltage static electricity or high-voltage power sources, electrical sparks may cause severe burns or other physical injuries. Therefore, when applying EDM technology, appropriate safety measures must be taken to reduce potential risks.
Conclusion
From Leibniz’s early discoveries to Franklin’s important experiments, the discovery and application of electric sparks not only demonstrated the charm of electricity, but also laid the foundation for the development of modern science and technology. Today, we can still see electric sparks in various equipment, which triggers people to think: What new breakthroughs and applications will electric sparks bring in the future field of science and technology?
