Does electricity travel through vacuum?

In summary, the conversation discusses whether electricity can travel through a vacuum and if so, whether it is a good conductor and what its resistance is. It is stated that electrons, as particles, can travel through a vacuum but it is an insulator with infinite resistance. However, if electrons are provided (e.g. through a heated cathode), they can flow easily through a vacuum. The effectiveness of the resistance is determined by the surface of the electrode rather than the vacuum itself.
  • #1
adi1998
15
0
Does electricity travel through vacuum?If so ,is it a good conductor?What is its resistance.
 
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  • #2
adi1998 said:
Does electricity travel through vacuum?If so ,is it a good conductor?What is its resistance.
What do you think? What do you mean by 'electricity'?
 
  • #3
I mean the flow of electrons,i.e without any medium,can electricity flow?
 
  • #4
adi1998 said:
I mean the flow of electrons,i.e without any medium,can electricity flow?
Electrons are particles. They can travel through a vacuum.
 
  • #5
Thank you very much.
 
  • #6
And also, the vacuum is an insulator. It has infinite resistance. Usually.
 
  • #7
If it has infinite resistance then how can electrons flow?
 
  • #8
adi1998 said:
If it has infinite resistance then how can electrons flow?
They won't naturally flow across a vacuum, as they would across a conductor. But they can be projected into a vacuum. (Look up electron gun, for details on that.) It's not clear from your question what context you are thinking of.
 
  • #9
IF you can provide electrons (e.g. from a heated cathode) electrons will flow very easily through a vacuum because they will not bump into anything to slow them down. A thermionic diode conducts well 'one way' because of its hot cathode but the Anode has no heater so there are no electrons available to let the current flow the other way.
Bottom line is that it's not the vacuum that determines the effective 'resistance' it is the surface of the electrode that determines whether they are available or not.
 

Related to Does electricity travel through vacuum?

1. What is electricity and how does it travel?

Electricity is a form of energy that is caused by the movement of charged particles. It can travel through conductive materials such as wires, but can also travel through a vacuum.

2. Can electricity travel through a vacuum?

Yes, electricity can travel through a vacuum. This was first discovered by Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the late 1800s. They found that an electric current could be transmitted wirelessly through a vacuum using electromagnetic waves.

3. How does electricity travel through a vacuum?

Electricity travels through a vacuum by creating an electromagnetic field. When an electric current is sent through a conductive material, it creates a magnetic field around the material. This magnetic field can then induce an electric current in a nearby conductive material, even if there is a vacuum between them.

4. Is it safe for electricity to travel through a vacuum?

Yes, it is safe for electricity to travel through a vacuum. In fact, many modern technologies such as cathode ray tubes, vacuum tubes, and fluorescent lights rely on electricity traveling through a vacuum to function properly.

5. Can electricity travel through outer space?

Yes, electricity can travel through outer space. In fact, space is mostly a vacuum and electricity can travel through it without any obstacles. This is why solar panels can still operate and generate electricity in space.

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