What phenomenon occurs when there is a discharge of electricity through the air?

When electricity discharges through the air, the phenomenon that occurs is described as an electric arc. An electric arc forms when a current passes through the air between conductors that are separated by a gap, creating a visible and intense light accompanied by high temperatures. This occurs because the air can become ionized, allowing the electricity to flow more easily, resembling a bright, flashy light known as an arc.

Electric arcs are often produced during electrical faults or when switching equipment which creates a gap in the circuit, and they can occur in various environments, including electrical systems and occasionally in nature, such as during lightning activity. This understanding of electric arcs is important in electrical engineering and safety practices to prevent hazards associated with uncontrolled discharges of electricity.

Other phenomena like electrical faults, electric surges, and EMI signals involve different behaviors and conditions associated with electrical systems but do not specifically describe the visible discharge of electricity through the air in the same way that an electric arc does.