Question

In a vacuum gap space, there is no neutral gas molecule in the gap. If an electrode system consists of anode and cathode is applied with high voltage, do you think the breakdown in a vacuum is possible? Justify your answer with concrete arguments and therefore explain two possible mechanisms that can cause a breakdown in a vacuum.

Answer 1

Sol. Yes, the breakdown of very high voltage in a vaccum gap space is possible inspite of having no neutral gas molecule. It is possible because of the following two reasons-:

i)High dielectric medium-: The extremely high dielectric strength in vaccum interrupt the arc very steadily and fastly making it to achieve current zero.During this time period the dielectric strength increases upto a rate of hundred to thousand times as compared to the other arc quenching mediums.

ii)Ionization of electrode ions-: The electrode ions ionize and the arc is produced and the arc generated is diffused in a very short time interval because of the very high insulating medium i.e the extremely high vaccum space.