I Electrical breakdown in air in the presence of a single charge

AI Thread Summary
An electric charge of 350 microcoulombs generates an electric field exceeding 3,000,000 volts/meter, surpassing the breakdown threshold of air. If this charge is in space, it expands into a volume of charge due to electron repulsion, while in air, surrounding molecules are repelled, potentially leading to a momentary ball of plasma. This plasma cools over time, mixing positive air ions with a negative electron cloud. However, in a vacuum, the charge remains stable without discharge or light emission. The outcome hinges on the medium surrounding the charge and its initial conditions.
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Suppose there is an electric charge of 350 micro coulombs in space. The electric field at a distance of less than one meter will be more than 3,000,000 volts/meter considering that this field is greater than the electric breakdown of air and the charge has no place to discharge, what happens? Will the electric charge be light?
 
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Is it in air, or is it in space?
If it is in space, the electrons will repel, becoming an expanding volume of charge, not a point.
If it is in air, the molecules of air will be repelled to achieve the same, taking slightly longer.
 
Given that the electric field is greater than the breakdown of air, will no spark appear?
 
abdossamad2003 said:
Given that the electric field is greater than the breakdown of air, will no spark appear?
That will depend on how the hypothetical single point of charge was established.

There will be a momentary ball of plasma that will expand. The plasma will cool as the initial energy is radiated. Since air molecules stripped of electrons are positive, they will remain mixed with the negative electron cloud. That may remain stable during the cooling period.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_lightning
 
abdossamad2003 said:
Suppose there is an electric charge of 350 micro coulombs in space. The electric field at a distance of less than one meter will be more than 3,000,000 volts/meter considering that this field is greater than the electric breakdown of air and the charge has no place to discharge, what happens? Will the electric charge be light?
In a vacuum, an electric charge of 350 microcoulombs creates a strong electric field, but without a medium like air, there's no breakdown or discharge path. Therefore, the charge remains stable, and no light emission occurs.
 
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