RE: visibility of an arc

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Qndre Qndre" <qndre_encrypt@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Hey Langer,

I think the strong EM field created by a TC is injecting energy into 
the atoms/ions surrounding the topload. An atom/ion releases it's 
energy in the form of a photon (a ripple of EM of it's own). If the 
photon arrives at your retina, it hands over it's energy and momentum 
which causes your visual nerves to respond.

Regards, Q.

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: visibility of an arc
Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2006 15:44:55 -0600

Original poster: "Langer Giv'r" <transworldsnowboarding19@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Hello, I've been wondering, how and why are we able to see the 
electric arc that a tesla coil gives off?  I know that it is the 
ionization of the air and shifting the air into a plasma, but how and 
why do we see it?
Thanks