Breakdown: Difference between revisions

From Glossary of Meteorology
No edit summary
m (Rewrite with Template:Term and clean up)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Term
 
|Display title=breakdown
{{TermHeader}}
|Definitions={{Definition
{{TermSearch}}
|Num=1
 
|Meaning=The process by which electrically stressed air is transformed from an insulator to a  conductor.
<div class="termentry">
|Explanation=Breakdown involves the [[acceleration]] of electrons to [[ionization  potential|ionization potential]] in the [[electric field]]  imposed by the [[thundercloud]], and the subsequent creation of new electrons that avalanche and  expand the [[scale]] or enlarge the volume of enhanced [[conductivity]]. Breakdown precedes the development  of [[lightning]].
  <div class="term">
}}
== breakdown ==
}}
  </div>
 
<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">The process by which electrically stressed air is transformed from an insulator to a  conductor.</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">Breakdown involves the [[acceleration]] of electrons to [[ionization  potential|ionization potential]] in the [[electric field]]  imposed by the [[thundercloud]], and the subsequent creation of new electrons that avalanche and  expand the [[scale]] or enlarge the volume of enhanced [[conductivity]]. Breakdown precedes the development  of [[lightning]].</div><br/> </div>
</div>
 
{{TermIndex}}
{{TermFooter}}
 
[[Category:Terms_B]]

Latest revision as of 12:42, 26 March 2024

The process by which electrically stressed air is transformed from an insulator to a conductor.

Breakdown involves the acceleration of electrons to ionization potential in the electric field imposed by the thundercloud, and the subsequent creation of new electrons that avalanche and expand the scale or enlarge the volume of enhanced conductivity. Breakdown precedes the development of lightning.

Copyright 2024 American Meteorological Society (AMS). For permission to reuse any portion of this work, please contact permissions@ametsoc.org. Any use of material in this work that is determined to be “fair use” under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S. Code § 107) or that satisfies the conditions specified in Section 108 of the U.S.Copyright Act (17 USC § 108) does not require AMS’s permission. Republication, systematic reproduction, posting in electronic form, such as on a website or in a searchable database, or other uses of this material, except as exempted by the above statement, require written permission or a license from AMS. Additional details are provided in the AMS Copyright Policy statement.