Is the colored arc light from ionized air or from electricity itself?

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When an electrical arc occurs, is the blue/white/purple arc the electricity itself, or is it a result of the electricity interacting with something in the air?
 
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You are seeing ionized gases in the air radiating EM energy. Try this one!

500 kV Eldorado substation near Boulder City, Nevada
http://www.arcfault.org/video.htm
 
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You cannot "see" electricity because that's what facilitates the whole "seeing" thing. As said you're looking at its result.
 
turbo-1 said:
Try this one!

WOW! That was spectacular! :biggrin:
 

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