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Lichtenberg figures: Made of electric discharges

The electrical discharges that have the tendency to appear over the surface of the insulating materials are known as Lichtenberg figures. I often wonder at this theory, which was made by Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, who happened to be a German physicist. The hard work and dedication put in by Lichtenberg for this experiment amazes me. He made a big Electrophorus for the purpose of creating very high voltage electricity. You would be surprised to know how Lichtenberg made it possible to record and transfer all the images. His experimentation made way for the discovery of the contemporary Xerography. I found another interesting aspect with Lichtenberg’s experiments regarding his experiments with the 2-dimensional Lichtenberg figures. The modern day researchers on the contrast have got the convenience of studying it with both the 3- dimensional and the 2-dimensional Lichtenberg figures. Through heavy electrical discharge he made it possible to create radial patterns within the fixed dust. You can create 2D Lichtenberg figures by positioning a sharp needle on a glass, resin, ebonite surface. However you should be precise with the positioning of the needle. It should be no less than a perpendicular.  A Leyden jar, which is a kind of capacitor, is charged to the needle. From my personal experience I have seen such contact creating little amount of discharge with the plate surface. You will find that the electrified parts on the plate surface getting attracted to the electrified sulfur that is negatively charged. Instantly you would be in a position to witness the colors produced by this kind of reaction. According to my experience if the charge created was positive, you have the chances of witnessing along patch of thick nucleus. However, the patch would be relatively smaller in case it is negative. Unlike the positive charge there would be existence circular boundary without branches. Contaminating an insulin surface with the presence of semi conducting material could make a second type of Lichtenberg Figure. There are every chances of creating a localized heating of the material placed beneath with the application of high voltage over the surface. These are ultimately capable of bridging the insulating space.  

-- rab

Tags: Georg Christoph Lichtenberg;, high voltage electricity;
Filed in: Random News