Why is conduction easier in gases if the pressure is low? Will the conduction continue to improve if the pressure is made as low as nearly zero?


Conduction happens when an electron with enough kinetic energy collides with the electron of gas atoms. This process is called as ionization of gas atoms. This phenomenon is reported at low pressure, as at high pressure the mean free path of electron decrease which results in a collision of electron much before they get enough kinetic energy for ionization. Whereas at low pressure due to an increase in their mean free path they are able to gain enough kinetic energy for ionization process so conduction is easier. If the pressure is made too low, there won’t be enough atoms to ionize and hence conductivity will decrease.


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