Sparking tube

Must the bricks of life have originated by some process closely related to Miller s spark tube experiment, or do other possibilities exist ... 

Just over fifty years ago, a major breakthrough occurred the celebrated Miller spark tube experiment (Miller, 1953), in which sparks (simulating electric storms) in a putative prebiotic atmosphere of methane, ammonia, dihydrogen, and water produced, under recycling conditions, a complex mixture of products containing in particular a variety of a-amino acids (identical to those used by all living organisms) (Miller, 1953). 

Some of Priestley s best later work was on the oxides of nitrogen and nitric acid. He found that when electric sparks are passed through air confined over litmus solution an acid is formed and the air contracts when the experiment was performed over lime water a precipitate was formed, hence he concluded, incorrectly, that the acid is fixed air (carbonic acid). This must have been formed from dust, etc., in the apparatus. In these experiments he used a straight sparking tube (i6), Fig. 24, but in order to be sure that the metal wire was not contributing to the effect he repeated them in a bent tube (19) with each leg in a cup of mercury, an apparatus later used by Cavendish (see p. 339), who showed that the acid is not fixed air but nitrous and nitric acids. 

By use of a piezoelectric device, as in a gas lighter, a small spark containing electrons and ions can be produced. If the spark is introduced into the gas in a discharge tube, it will provide the extra initial electrons and ions needed to start a continuous discharge. A plasma torch is frequently lit (started) in this fashion. 

All methods of plasma production require some electrons to be present as electric-discharge initiators. For a plasma torch, the initiating electrons are introduced from a piezoelectric spark directed into argon gas flowing in the interval between two concentric quartz tubes. 

Table 8. Sparking Potential for Small Wire Concentric in a Round Tube...

Wire sparklers are wires coated with pyrotechnic composition which are hand-held and produce a gende spray of gold sparks from iron filings. Fountains are cardboard tubes filled with chemical mixtures that produce a spray of color and sparks extending 2—5 m into the air. Roman candles are cylindrical tubes which repeatedly fire colored stars distances of 5—20 m into the air. These items typically contain 5—12 stars. 

Each pilot shall be spark operated complete with a windshield, pilot tip and pilot tube. It shall also have an igniter tube, thermocouple and remote venmri, if applicable. 

The hazard tree also helps identify protection devices to include in equipment design that may minimize the possibility that a source will develop into a condition. Examples would be flame arrestors and stack arrestors on fire tubes to prevent flash back and exhaust sparks, gas detectors to sense the presence of a fuel in a confined space, and fire... 

A cathode ray consisting of fast-moving electrons flows through the spark coil and into the partially evacuated tube... 

In addition, H2 is extremely sensitive to spark initiation, and can cause premature detons when ammo is being handled, is in-tube during launch, or is being steam-cleaned for reloading, purposes. A parallel reaction involves the release of NH3, which can combine with metals such as Cu in the presence of nitrates to form such extremely shock sensitive compds as tetramino cupric nitrate (Ref 17). To obviate these effects, desiccants such as silica gel may be added to the extent of 0.5% (Ref 12)... 

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