Simulating Lightning Discharges: The Influence of Environmental Conditions on Ionization and Spark Behavior
2025
Gabriel Steinberg | Naomi Watanabe
This study investigates the behavior of spark discharges under various environmental conditions to simulate aspects of early-stage lightning dynamics, with a focus on their spectral characteristics, propagation, and ionization behavior. In a laboratory setting, spark discharges generated by a Tesla coil operating with high-frequency alternating current (AC) were analyzed under varying air humidity and water surface conductivity. Spectral analysis revealed that the discharges are dominated by the second positive system of molecular nitrogen N2 (2P) and also exhibit the first negative system of molecular nitrogen ions N2+ (1N). Notably, the N2 (2P) emissions show strong peaks in the 350&ndash:450 nm range, closely matching spectral features typically associated with corona and streamer discharges in natural lightning. Environmental factors significantly influenced discharge morphology: in dry air, sparks exhibited longer and more branched paths, while in moist air, the discharges were shorter and more confined. Over water surfaces, the sparks spread radially, forming star-shaped patterns. Deionized (DI) water, with low conductivity, supported wider lateral propagation, whereas higher conductivity in tap water and saltwater suppressed discharge spread. The gap between the electrode tip and the surface also affected discharge extent and brightness. These findings demonstrate that Tesla coil discharges reproduce key features of early lightning processes and offer insights into how environmental factors influence discharge development.
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