Example

1. The build-up of high currents in a gas breakdown is due to the process of ionization in
which electrons and ions are created from neutral atoms or molecules. Explain how the
ionization process occurs prior to gas breakdown phenomena.

Answer
2. In an experiment using a certain gas, it was found that a steady state current of 600µA
flowed through the plane electrode separated by a distance of 0.5 cm when a voltage of 10 kV
is applied. Determine the Townsend’s first ionization coefficient if a current of 60µA flows
when the distance of separation is reduced to 0.1 cm and the field is kept constant at the
previous value. If the breakdown occurred when the gap distance was increased to 0.9 cm,
what is the value of Townsend’s secondary ionization coefficient?

3.

4. The ionization coefficient α /p as a function of field strength E and gas pressure p is given
by the following threshold equation:

α/p = f[ E/p]

By using the townsend’s breakdown criterion, show that the breakdown voltage for uniform
field gaps is a function of gap length (d) and gas pressure (p).

5. Show that the breakdown criterion in gas according to Paschen’s Law is given by;

g(Vs/pd) [exp[pds.f(Vs/pds)] -1 =1

Where,

ds – gap distance at sparkover voltage

p – pressure
Vs – sparkover voltage
f&g – different function