Re: The science behind streamer sounds

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <m.j.watts-at-massey.ac.nz>

Hi Brett,

On 13 Oct 2002, at 19:15, Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Brett Miller by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <brmtesla-at-yahoo-dot-com>
> 
> All,
> 
> I was showing my father a video tape of my 6 inch
> system running and he asked about what the exact
> mechanism is that creates the sounds the streamers
> make.  I thought about it for a while, but wasn't able
> to give a satisfactory answer.  It's funny, if he had
> asked me about quenching, ringups, or resonance I
> would have talked for an hour.  It's just those basic
> questions of scientific curiosity that can sometimes
> leave us stumped.  Maybe Paul (Nicholson), will have
> something to say here.  Terry?  Anyone?  Thanks.
> 
> -Brett

The sound comes from rapid heating causing the air to expand 
violently. In fact it expands faster than the speed of sound. A mini 
sonic boom if you will.

Regards,
malcolm