Does electricity travel through vacuum?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around whether electricity can travel through a vacuum, specifically focusing on the flow of electrons without a medium, and the implications for conductivity and resistance in such a scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether electricity can travel through a vacuum and question the nature of 'electricity' itself.
  • One participant asserts that electrons, as particles, can travel through a vacuum.
  • Another participant states that a vacuum is an insulator with infinite resistance, raising questions about how electrons can flow in such a medium.
  • A later reply clarifies that while electrons do not naturally flow across a vacuum like they do in conductors, they can be projected into a vacuum, referencing electron guns as an example.
  • One participant explains that if electrons are provided from a heated source, they can flow easily through a vacuum, emphasizing that the effective resistance is determined by the electrode surface rather than the vacuum itself.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of electricity in a vacuum, with some asserting that electrons can flow while others emphasize the vacuum's insulating properties. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of resistance in this context.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of 'electricity' and the assumptions about the conditions under which electrons may flow through a vacuum. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical or physical implications of these claims.

adi1998
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Does electricity travel through vacuum?If so ,is it a good conductor?What is its resistance.
 
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adi1998 said:
Does electricity travel through vacuum?If so ,is it a good conductor?What is its resistance.
What do you think? What do you mean by 'electricity'?
 
I mean the flow of electrons,i.e without any medium,can electricity flow?
 
adi1998 said:
I mean the flow of electrons,i.e without any medium,can electricity flow?
Electrons are particles. They can travel through a vacuum.
 
Thank you very much.
 
And also, the vacuum is an insulator. It has infinite resistance. Usually.
 
If it has infinite resistance then how can electrons flow?
 
adi1998 said:
If it has infinite resistance then how can electrons flow?
They won't naturally flow across a vacuum, as they would across a conductor. But they can be projected into a vacuum. (Look up electron gun, for details on that.) It's not clear from your question what context you are thinking of.
 
IF you can provide electrons (e.g. from a heated cathode) electrons will flow very easily through a vacuum because they will not bump into anything to slow them down. A thermionic diode conducts well 'one way' because of its hot cathode but the Anode has no heater so there are no electrons available to let the current flow the other way.
Bottom line is that it's not the vacuum that determines the effective 'resistance' it is the surface of the electrode that determines whether they are available or not.
 

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