Air ionization caused by electromagnetism

[chewylord389]

I have recently discovered that air is not just ionized by nature, but also by electromagnetic radiation. I have two questions:

 

1) how much electromagnetic power is needed in order to ionize the air (in terms of kw)

 

2) Does ionized air cause any adverse health effects when the ionization is caused by electromagnetic forces, rather than nature?

 

Thank you

[John Cuthber]

1

how much air do you want to ionise?

2

there is no difference between air ionised in a lab or by nature. (How would it "remember" how it was ionised?")

A thunderbolt is ionised, natural, and likely to kill you.

[Bender]

The individual photons need sufficient energy to kick out an electron, so you need at least UV or shorter wavelengths.

[fiveworlds]

how much electromagnetic power is needed in order to ionize the air (in terms of kw)

 

The term you are looking for is corona discharge. It depends on the material from which the conductor is made according to the wiki on potential gradient it should be something in the region of 30 kV/cm.

Edited March 30, 2017 by fiveworlds

[swansont]

Electromagnetic interactions are part of nature.

[Handy andy]

I have recently discovered that air is not just ionized by nature, but also by electromagnetic radiation. I have two questions:

 

1) how much electromagnetic power is needed in order to ionize the air (in terms of kw)

 

2) Does ionized air cause any adverse health effects when the ionization is caused by electromagnetic forces, rather than nature?

 

Thank you

 

Your question is not clear, are you talking about electromagnetic fields as in magnets or are you talking about radiation like gamma rays. If it is electromagnetic fields you are talking about, do you have any references.

 

Gamma radiation and Plasmas as in lightning are well known mechanisms for ionizing gases. Gamma rays are not good for the complexion, and lightning can fry you.

[swansont]

 

Your question is not clear, are you talking about electromagnetic fields as in magnets or are you talking about radiation like gamma rays. If it is electromagnetic fields you are talking about, do you have any references.

 

Gamma radiation and Plasmas as in lightning are well known mechanisms for ionizing gases. Gamma rays are not good for the complexion, and lightning can fry you.

 

 

Air can be ionized by UV radiation. No need to have gammas (or x-rays), though they will certainly do it.