Date:         Fri, 9 Aug 2002 13:45:58 -0700
Reply-To:     Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: spark plugs, etc
Comments: To: David Brodbeck <gull@CYBERSPACE.ORG>
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.SUN.3.96.1020809153920.23344A-100000@grex.cyberspace.org>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

> >
> > In a parallel circuit, current will always divide according to the
> > resistance in it's path (with contsant voltage). Only in the case of a
> > direct short will the higher resistance be cut out completely.
>
> That applies to most circuits, yes.  If we're talking about spark plugs,
> though, the first path that ionizes the fuel/air mix in the cylinder will
> suddenly have a *drastically* lower resistance than the other paths, so
> the current will all flow through it.

sort of. Gas phase stuff is way different than condensed phase. This is
what i do all day. All three paths will be used but the one that is least
restance will have the most electrons, the middle resistance will have
less and the most resistance will have the least amount of electrons. You
can use this as you want, but i'd probably go for 3 prong so you have the
CHANCE to use 3 prongs at the same time.

Matthew Pollard
Gas phase molecular dynamics is my game :-)
http://dynamics.chem.uidaho.edu for details