Electric wind

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The electric wind is a phenomenon of electrostatics .

If a high voltage is applied to a pointed, electrically conductive body, e.g. B. on a metallic needle, the tip effect creates a high electric field strength directly above the tip . Depending on the polarity of the conductor, the electrons or ions are attracted or repelled by the tip. This leads to further impact ionization of the surrounding atoms by the strongly accelerated electrons . On the other hand, gas molecules in the air are also entrained by the movement of the more massive ions. In this context, one speaks of "electric wind". The more pointed the charged body, the stronger this effect occurs. The reason is that - with a constant electrical potential - the electrical field strength increases as the radius of curvature becomes smaller.

Evidence options

  • Electric wind on a metal tip

  • No voltage

  • Medium tension

  • High tension

You can make the air movement visible by means of a candle flame. In the sequence of images, a burning candle was placed in front of a metallic needle. If the body on the left is connected to a high-voltage source with a sharp needle, electrons are accelerated in the electric field and lead to further ionization processes. This creates an avalanche of electrons. The effect is stronger with positively charged bodies because the electrons are accelerated in the direction of increasing electrical field strength. The positively charged ions, on the other hand, are repelled by the body and also drag uncharged gas molecules with them. This electrically generated “wind” causes the candle flame to lean away from the body; if the voltage is high enough, the candle flame goes out.

literature

  • Karl Küpfmüller: Theoretical electrical engineering and electronics . 14th edition. Springer, 1993, ISBN 3-540-56500-0 .

Web links

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