Nikola Tesla - Free-Energy Devices

310 INVENTIONS OF NIKOLA TKSLA.As regards the latter, which in the electrical analogue correspondto the losses due to the resistance of the circuits, it is impossibleto obviate them entirely, but they can be reduced to a minimumby a proper selection of the dimensions of the circuits and by thethe employment of thin conductors in the form of strands. Butthe loss of energy caused by the first breaking through of thedielectric which in the above example corresponds to the violentknock of the bottom against the inelastic stop would be more importantto overcome. At the moment of the breaking through,the air space has a very high resistance, which is probably reducedto a very small value when the current has reached somestrength, and the space is brought to a high temperature. Itwould materially diminish the loss of energy if the space werealways kept at an extremely high temperature, but then therewould be no disruptive break. By warming the space moderatelyby means of a lamp or otherwise, the economy as far as thearc is concerned is sensibly increased. But the magnet or otherinterrupting device does not diminish the loss in the arc. Likewise,a jet of air only facilitates the carrying off of the energy.WhenAir, or a gas in general, behaves curiously in this respect.two bodies charged to a very high potential, discharge disruptivelythrough an air space, any amount of energy may be carriedoff by the air. This energy is evidently dissipated by bodilycarriers, in impact and collisional losses of the molecules. Theexchange of the molecules in the space occurs with inconceivablerapidity.A powerful discharge taking place between two electrodes,they may remain entirely cool, and yetthe loss in theair may represent any amount of energy. It is perfectly practicable,with very great potential differences in the gap, to dissipateseveral horse-power in the arc of the discharge without evennoticing a small increase in the temperature of the electrodes.All the frictional losses occur then practicallyin the air. If theexchange of the air molecules is prevented, as by enclosing the airhermetically, the gas inside of the vessel is brought quickly to ahigh temperature, even with a very small discharge. It is difficultto estimate how much of the energy is lost in sound waves,audible or not, in a powerful discharge. When the currentsthrough the gap are large, the electrodes may become rapidlyheated, but this is not a reliable measure of the energy wasted inthe arc, as the loss through the gap itself may be comparativelysmall.The air or a gas in general is, 'at ordinary pressure at least,