Townsend's discharge theory
Townsend's discharge theory explains how electrical discharges occur in gases. It describes the process where free electrons, created by ionization, collide with gas molecules, causing further ionization and releasing more electrons. This chain reaction can lead to a rapid increase in current, resulting in phenomena like lightning or electrical sparks. The theory outlines different stages, including the initiation of ionization, the propagation of the discharge, and how factors like pressure and gas type affect the process. Essentially, it helps us understand how electricity can travel through the air under certain conditions.
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Townsend's Discharge Theory describes how electrical breakdown occurs in gases, particularly in a vacuum. It explains how free electrons gain energy from an electric field and collide with gas atoms, causing ionization. When enough ionized particles are created, a significant current flows, leading to a discharge, like a spark. Townsend proposed a series of stages involving the generation of electrons, their multiplication through collisions, and the final discharge process. This theory helps understand phenomena like lightning and the operation of devices like gas discharge lamps and vacuum tubes.