Term: electrical arc
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01918

Definition:
A self-sustaining electrical discharge between at least two electrodes, characterized by a comparatively small cathode fall voltage, a low burning voltage and a relatively high current density. The burning voltage of an arc is the voltage across the electrode gap during an arc discharge.

Related Terms:
1) cathode (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00905).
2) current density (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01452).

Source: Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 123 (https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)

Citation: 'electrical arc' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01918

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