Re: Copper tubing

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <acmq-at-compuland-dot-com.br>

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Loudner, Godfrey by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <gloudner-at-SINTE.EDU>
> 
> Hi Antonio
> 
> I still think that the quantum mechanics of electron flow in metals can
> reveal characteristics which cannot be explained by the use of classical
> electromagnetic theory. Beside the flow of high frequency currents in
> conductors, I also feel that a proper explanation of the dynamics of an arc
> at the spark gap can benefit from the use of quantum mechanics. Consider the
> current density of the emission from a pure metal surface. Classical
> electromagnetic theory could not lead to a useful formula for the current
> density. Engineers used an empirical formula in the case of mercury pool arc
> rectifiers. Finally the theoretical physicist Fowler applied quantum
> mechanics to produce the proper formula for the current density. I am a
> mathematician with some knowledge of how to use quantum mechanics, but I
> just don't have the background in physics to go ahead and apply quantum
> theory to high frequency currents and the spark gap arc.

I agree that arcs and electron emission are very strange, and some 
highly nonlinear effects in them may be not explainable, at least 
quantitatively, with classical electromagnetism only. 
But currents in uniform conductors at normal temperatures are much
simpler. 
Things get really weird only when effects as superconductivity appear,
and
them some quantum mechanics help to explain (really?) what happens.

Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz