Vacuum itself does not conduct electricity. Here are some detailed explanations:
Definition of Vacuum:
Vacuum refers to a state where almost no matter exists; that is, there are virtually no free electrons or other particles capable of conducting electric charge in a vacuum.
Principle of Electricity Conductivity:
Electricity conduction is the process by which the directional movement of electric charge forms an electric current. Conductors have free electrons, which can move directionally under the influence of an electric field, thus forming an electric current. However, in a vacuum, due to the lack of free electrons or other particles capable of conducting electric charge, an electric current cannot be formed.
Resistivity of Vacuum:
Theoretically, the resistivity of an ideal vacuum is infinitely large, meaning that current can hardly pass through a vacuum. While non-conductivity does not mean that current is strictly prohibited from flowing through, in reality, the conductivity of a vacuum is almost negligible.
Conditions for the Existence of Electric Charge:
Electric charge can only exist by being attached to a physical substance. Therefore, the space through which charge passes must contain physical particles. In a vacuum, due to the lack of these particles, charge cannot flow within it.
In conclusion, vacuum itself does not conduct electricity.
In a vacuum in the conventional sense
Conductivity depends on the "degree" of vacuum and external conditions. An ideal vacuum (containing no matter) is itself non-conductive because it lacks charge carriers; however, in practical engineering, vacuum often refers to a high vacuum (with a small amount of residual gas), where conductivity is possible, primarily through ionization mechanisms.
In a high vacuum environment, conductivity is mainly achieved through the following mechanisms: First, field emission: when the voltage between electrodes is extremely high, a strong electric field can cause electrons to tunnel through the metal surface, forming a current, which is common in VS1-12 vacuum circuit breaker. Second, breakdown conductivity: even in a high vacuum, if the voltage is high enough, residual gas molecules may ionize, triggering electron avalanche and leading to breakdown discharge; Pascal's law describes the relationship between breakdown voltage and gas pressure and electrode distance. Additionally, thermoemission or photoemission: heating the electrodes or irradiation can provide energy for electron emission, achieving conductivity. Therefore, a high vacuum is not an absolute insulator; under specific conditions, conductivity can be achieved through carrier emission or gas ionization.
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