A luminous discharge of electricity across a gap is called what?

A luminous discharge of electricity across a gap is called what?

• A. Bolt
• B. Spark
• C. Arc
• D. Flash

Answer: (C)

An electric arc is a luminous discharge that forms a conducting plasma channel between two electrodes, bridging the gap. It occurs when the applied voltage is high enough to ionize the air and sustain current, producing a bright, glowing path. This differs from a spark, which is a brief, momentary discharge that jumps the gap but doesn’t establish a continuous channel. It’s also distinct from a bolt (natural lightning) and a generic flash, which isn’t specifically the sustained, gap-bridging arc seen in electrical systems. So the term for a luminous discharge across a gap is arc.

An electric arc is a luminous discharge that forms a conducting plasma channel between two electrodes, bridging the gap. It occurs when the applied voltage is high enough to ionize the air and sustain current, producing a bright, glowing path. This differs from a spark, which is a brief, momentary discharge that jumps the gap but doesn’t establish a continuous channel. It’s also distinct from a bolt (natural lightning) and a generic flash, which isn’t specifically the sustained, gap-bridging arc seen in electrical systems. So the term for a luminous discharge across a gap is arc.