How Do You Spell POSITIVE COLUMN?

1. A positive column refers to a term used in the context of gas discharge physics, particularly in the field of electrical engineering. It denotes an electrode region within a discharge tube where positive ions are augmented. This region is typically found next to the cathode, or negative electrode, and is characterized by a luminous glow. The positive column is formed when a high voltage is applied across the two electrodes, creating an electric field that ionizes the gas atoms or molecules inside the tube.

   Within the positive column, positive ions acquire high energies due to the strong electric field and subsequently collide with other gas particles, leading to the release of photons. This results in a self-sustaining glow discharge that exhibits a luminous appearance. The positive column is commonly observed in various electrical devices, such as fluorescent lamps and neon signs, where the emitted light is a consequence of the activity occurring within this region.

   Furthermore, the length of the positive column is determined by the voltage difference and the gas pressure in the discharge tube. Different gases and pressures can lead to variations in the color and intensity of the glow, allowing for a wide range of visual effects. The study and understanding of positive columns are essential in designing and optimizing gas discharge devices for practical applications.

2. A luminous stream, usually pinkish in color, seen in passing a current of high potential through a tube from which the air has been partly exhausted.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for POSITIVE COLUMN

The word "positive column" does not have a unique etymology because it consists of two separate words.

1. Positive: The word "positive" comes from the Latin word "positivus", which is derived from "positus", the past participle of "ponere", meaning "to place" or "to put". In English, "positive" initially referred to something definite, real, or fixed, and it later developed the sense of indicating the presence or existence of something rather than its absence. This term is often used to describe something constructive, optimistic, or favorable.

2. Column: The word "column" comes from the Latin word "columna", which literally means "pillar" or "post". In its architectural sense, it refers to a vertical, upright, and cylindrical support structure.