John Sealy Townsend

John Sealy Townsend was a British physicist known for his contributions to electrostatics and gas ionization. He developed the Townsend discharge theory, which explains how electrical discharges occur in gases, particularly at low pressures. His work helped to understand how ionization—where atoms lose or gain electrons—leads to conductivity in gases. This theory paved the way for advancements in technologies such as neon lights and gas discharge tubes. Townsend's research significantly enhanced our understanding of electrical phenomena in gases, influencing both theoretical and practical aspects of physics and electrical engineering.