Re: Another question

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Hollmike-at-aol-dot-com>

I remember reading something about the phenomenon that abrupt change in
dielectric constant, such as glass to air, can cause arcs to travel along the
interface much  easier than through either of the mediums them selves.  Don't
know that there is a name to this phenomenon, but I watched a demonstration of
this at the Tesla museum as well.   
Mike 




>
> I, too, have noticed that the arcs appearing along surfaces (such as the 
> outside of my salt water capacitors) are much longer than regular arcs 
> through the air.  A six inch surface arc could often be produced by the 
> same amount of voltage needed to throw a 1/2 inch spark in the air.