Paschen curve

The Paschen curve illustrates the relationship between the voltage required to cause electrical breakdown (spark) between two electrodes and the product of gas pressure and the distance between them. It shows that breakdown voltage isn’t just about high voltage; it depends on both how tightly packed the particles are and how far apart the electrodes are. The curve reveals a minimum voltage needed at a certain pressure-distance combination, meaning that too low or too high pressure can make it harder for sparks to form. This concept helps in designing safe electrical systems and understanding how sparks occur in gases.