spark gap

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a space between two electrodes, across which a discharge of electricity may take place.

2. the electrodes and the space between, considered as a unit: used in ignition systems.

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spark gap British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: gap.  the space between two electrodes across which a spark can jump

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spark gap Scientific  

1. A gap in an otherwise closed electric circuit across which a discharge occurs at a prescribed voltage. The discharge often causes ionization of the surrounding gas and thereby very high temperatures, and can be exploited, as in spark plugs, to ignite engine fuel in a combustion chamber.

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Etymology

Origin of spark gap

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spark gap

But by moving the spark gap nearer to or farther from the gun's muzzle, the bullet can be snapped at various points of its trajectory.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is only upon examination of the spark gap of fact into idea, or material into metaphor that the author is helpless.

From Time Magazine Archive

From the condenser, electrical energy is discharged each time the spark discharge passes at a spark gap in the form of electrical oscillations set up in the primary circuit of an oscillation transformer.

From Hertzian Wave Wireless Telegraphy by John Ambrose Fleming

Five varying toothed discs for the rotary spark gap yield five different signal tones and nine different wave lengths are possible.

From The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice or, Solving a Wireless Mystery by Allen Chapman

He objected to the hum of motors and he jumped every time he saw the flashes from the wireless spark gap.

From The Boy Scout Fire Fighters by Irving Crump