Re: why arc is hot?

Date: Fri Nov 7 14:55:35 2003
Posted By: Barry Kamrass, Consulting Engineer
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1068013983.Ph

Message:


Good Question!
The reason the arc becomes hot is that there is a high current (and high 
current DENSITY) flowing through a high resistance.  This resistance is 
composed of a dilute gas of metal ions in air or gas.  So, since power 
equals I**2*R, you get a very high power generated in the arc and a very 
high temperature results, melting the metal you're cutting.

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