From: "Marvin Kaye" <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Where has all the power gone?
To: lml
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 12:47:23 -0500
Message-ID: <web-901811@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <24372372.1135578138728.JavaMail.root@mswamui-valley.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
References: <24372372.1135578138728.JavaMail.root@mswamui-valley.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
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Posted for Rick titsworth <rtitsworth@mindspring.com>:

  Can you further explain or site a known/scientific reference source for your
statement below?
  
  "High altitudes increase the voltage required to jump the gap on the plug"
  
  Commonly understood engineering/physics is that increases in air
pressure/density impeeds a spark.  Thus, as air pressure/density is reduced
(increased altitude) a spark will normally be EASIER to initiate.
  
  Reference: "...The Physics Fact Book" @
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/AliceHong.shtml - "The dielectric strength
of air is approximately 3 kV/mm. Its exact value varies with the shape and
size of the electrodes and increases with the pressure of the air...".
  Additional factual references are cited at the link above.
  
  Additonally/empirically, I've seen weak coils that would "spark" a plug out
of an engine cylinder, but that would not create a spark under the pressurized
conditions inside a "compressed" cylinder.  e.g.  high pressure increases the
voltage required to create a spark.
  
  Why would High altitudes (low pressure) require MORE voltage???
  
  
  Rick
  - always open to learning something new, if true.