RE: Magnetic quenching.

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

Original poster: "David Thomson" <dave-at-volantis-dot-org> 

Hi Matthew,

(Let me try posting this in coherent speech...)

 > Trick question: does the north of a compass needle point to the north or
 > the south pole of a magnet?  I would say it would point to the
 > SOUTH of the magnet.

I had been thinking this same question during the past few weeks.  The north
of a compass needle points to the north of a magnet.  This is because the
"north" needle is really a "south" needle in order for it to point north.

As for magnetic quenching, perhaps the magnetic flux divided by the
potential across the spark gap gives the quench time?  Increasing the
magnetic flux increases the duration of time between sparks.  If this is
true, then doubling the magnetic flux will double the quench time.  Add too
much magnetic flux and the gap won't fire.  I don't know if this is true or
not, but the dimensions are correct.

Dave