Does an electrical arc spark need air to happen?

Subject: Does an electrical arc spark need air to happen?

Date: Fri Apr 11 08:59:23 2003
Posted by Daniel
Grade level: 7-9 School: Sh'ma Yisrael Yeshiva
City: Traverse City State/Province: Michigan Country: USA
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 1050069563.Ch

Message:


Can an electrical spark occur in a vacuum?  This question arises from an 
argument about whether or not an electrical arc between two pieces of metal 
across an opening (such as when a light switch is turned on or off) is or is not 
considered "fire", as fire needs fuel to burn.

Re: Does an electrical arc spark need air to happen?

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