The theory of the electrical breakdown of gases at atmospheric pressures

After a brief summary and discussion of Townsend's theory of the electrical breakdown of gases in the light of certain recent criticisms, it is shown that these are compatible with his theory except for one serious discrepancy. This discrepancy lies in the fact that at the assumed fields at which breakdown occurs in air, at atmospheric pressure, and in inert gases at low pressures, the $\text{β}\text{P}$ of Townsend's theory cannot have the significance given it by Townsend, as the positive ions are incapable at these fields of acquiring the ionizing energy. Various solutions proposed are discussed and found inadequate. It seems necessary, in order to keep this otherwise successful theory, to doubt the validity of the assumption generally made for plane parallel electrodes, that the potential drop between the plates is uniform before the spark passes. If fields about ten times as great as those calculated from the uniform drop existed, the theory could be applied. It is shown that such fields are possible under the conditions of the spark potential experiments, due to space charges resulting from the difference of ionic and electronic velocities. The existence of such fields requires a finite spark lag interval of about 10^?4 seconds, as yet not definitely observed. Experiments should be undertaken in laboratories equipped for the purpose to look for both the spark lag and the non-uniform field.