- #1
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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So what exactly are sparks in theri scientific sense? Are they really hot pieces of metal flying off or large amounts of light coming off or what?
Any mechanical spark, as in the train scenario you mentioned, or a bench grinder, is indeed a piece of material heated to incandescence and ejected from the point of origin. An electrical spark consists of plasma which has been created from the atmosphere by the heat involved in the electric current. It's like a little neon bulb, but since the air is primarily nitrogen, it glows purplish rather than red.cepheid said:I'm open to corrections though.
Sparks are caused by the rapid release of energy from a material. This can be due to friction, heat, or electrical discharge.
Sparks in a fire are created by small pieces of hot material being thrown into the air. These pieces are created when the heat of the fire causes a material to rapidly oxidize and break apart.
Yes, sparks can be dangerous if they come in contact with flammable materials or if they cause an explosion. It is important to take precautions and handle sparks carefully.
Yes, sparks can appear in a variety of colors depending on the material that is burning or reacting. For example, copper can create green sparks, while iron can create orange sparks.
Sparks are commonly used in industrial processes such as welding, cutting, and grinding. These processes use sparks to heat and melt materials, creating a strong bond between them.