1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Chemistry

Lichtenberg Figure

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide

Lichtenberg figures are branching structures formed from an electrical discharge on or inside of an insulator. The structures take their name from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, the physicist who discovered and studied them. This photo gallery showcases Lichtenberg figures and explains how they are formed.

Images 1-7 of 7

Lichtenberg FigureLichtenberg FigureThis Lichtenberg figure formed from dielectric breakdown caused by a high voltage discharge.Lichtenberg FigureThis Lichtenberg figure was formed inside a 1.5" cube of polymethyl methacrylate.Electrical TreeLichtenberg FiguresLichtenberg Figures
Lichtenberg FiguresLichtenberg FiguresLichtenberg FiguresLichtenberg FiguresLichtenberg FiguresLichtenberg Figures
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Chemistry
  4. Facts & Pictures
  5. Photo Galleries
  6. Lichtenberg Figures>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.