What Causes Sparks Between Charged Metal Plates in a Pendulum Experiment?

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Sparks between charged metal plates in a pendulum experiment occur due to the movement of charges from the plates to the aluminum foil. When the plates are close enough, a high voltage can ionize the air, creating a conductive plasma that allows for electrical discharge. This phenomenon is similar to lightning but on a much smaller scale. The air typically acts as an insulator, but under sufficient voltage, it can facilitate charge flow. Thus, the sparks result from the breakdown of air's insulating properties due to the high voltage created by the charged plates.
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I saw the following expt:

Two metal plates of zinc, one charged + the other charged - with a pendulum coated in Aluminium foil between the plates. When the plates were too close, sparks arose between the pendulum and the plates.

Is this due to the escape of charges. If not, then what are the sparks due to
 
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The sparks would be the charges moving from the plates to the aluminum foil. Air is a good insulator of charges, usually charges cannot flow in air; however, if you have a high enough voltage you can produce these discharges (in essence turning the air around the moving charges into plasma, which DOES conduct electricity). This is basically lightning (in minuscule form).
 
Matterwave said:
in essence turning the air around the moving charges into plasma, which DOES conduct electricity)

are you saying that the air disperses
 

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