Electric charge, creating plasma and keeping it apart

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of using a device similar to a stun gun to create a plasma by ripping electrons from air molecules. The idea is to have a negatively charged disc nearby, covered in insulating material, to attract and collect the positive ions while repelling the electrons. The question is whether this can be done practically and how much charge would be needed to contain a significant volume of positive ions. It is suggested that this may function as a type of capacitor, but it is doubted that it could handle such high voltages.
  • #1
Felix83
75
0
if you have a device similar to a stun gun, with a spark continuously jumping across the 2 contact points. electric field has to rip electrons from the air moecules leaving positive ions - creating plasma. now imagine you have a negatively charged disc nearby the device which is covered in a highly insulating material. is it practically possible to give the disc enough charge so that as the electrons are ripped from the air atoms, the disc attracts and collects the positive ions and repels the electrons and holds the positive ions not letting them escape? since the disc has a protective insulating cover, the charge cannot escape or neutralize with the positve ions so it would just hold them there. can this be done? how could you figure out how much charge the disc would need? would the maximum volume of these positive ions be significant at all compared to the size of the disc?
 
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  • #2
Wouldn't it create a type of capacitor?

I doubt it would be able to handle such enormous voltages.
 
  • #3
well i guess, sort of.
the method to charge the disc would be like a giant capacitor

as soon as the air molecules get ripped apart into positive ions and electrons, the electrons would get repelled away and the positive ions would be attracted and held onto by the negatively charged disc.

my question is if you can safely and practically contain enough charge on the disc in order to hold any significant volume of positive air ions.
 

1. What is electric charge?

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electric field. It can be either positive or negative, and like charges repel while opposite charges attract.

2. How is plasma created?

Plasma is a state of matter that is created when a gas is heated to extremely high temperatures, causing the atoms to lose their electrons. This results in a mixture of positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons, making it an electrically conductive material.

3. What is the role of electric charge in creating and maintaining plasma?

Electric charge plays a crucial role in creating and maintaining plasma. It is the electric force that keeps the positively and negatively charged particles apart, preventing them from recombining into neutral atoms. Additionally, electric fields can be used to accelerate and control the movement of the charged particles within the plasma.

4. What are some applications of plasma technology?

Plasma technology has a wide range of applications, including in the fields of medicine, energy production, and materials processing. It is used in plasma TVs, fluorescent lights, and neon signs, as well as in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace engineering.

5. How is plasma contained and prevented from interacting with its surroundings?

To keep plasma contained and prevent it from interacting with its surroundings, various techniques are used. These include using strong magnetic fields to confine the plasma, using high-frequency electric fields to contain it, or using physical barriers such as walls or windows made of special materials that can withstand the high temperatures and corrosive nature of plasma.

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