Re: Gap Question

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

Original poster: Bert Hickman <bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-net> 

Tesla list wrote:

>Original poster: "Luke" <Bluu-at-cox-dot-net>
>Can anyone point me to a device that does not have a linear resistance
>but yet does not display a negative resistance?
>Is there such an animal?
>Thanx
>Luke Galyan
>Bluu-at-cox-dot-net
>http://members.cox-dot-net/bluu
<SNIP>

Luke,

They're everywhere - nature seems to favor nonlinear behavior. Because of 
this, it can be very challenging to design a piece of equipment that's 
truly linear over a wide operating range. Virtually every electrical 
component you encounter is actually nonlinear to some degree. However, most 
components normally do not exhibit any negative resistance characteristic 
unless they become electrically overstressed in your TC and irreversibly 
break down... :^)

All passive components are somewhat nonlinear. Cored inductors saturate, 
and many types of resistors and capacitors will change value as a function 
of applied voltage. ALL semiconductors, vacuum tubes, and cold cathode (gas 
tube) devices are also inherently nonlinear, particularly as you approach 
zero volts, approach voltage or current limits, or reverse polarity. Other 
common components that show marked nonlinear characteristics include surge 
suppressing MOV's, incandescent lamps. Neon lamps, fluorescent lights, or 
flash lamps display nonlinear negative resistance characteristics in some 
operating regions, and nonlinear positive characteristics in others.

Best regards,

-- Bert --