Forces of electric origin in the iron arc

A NUMBER of phenomena are present in overhead arc welding, for which no adequate explanation has been possible. Among the questions are: (1) what is the force that causes the molten drop to travel across the arc face from the electrode to the work, (2) why is it that the drop is detached with explosive violence rather than gradually? In an attempt to determine the electric origin of these forces in high current metallic arcs, the magnified image of an arc was projected on a screen by means of a lens. In this manner, relations between the electrical forces, arc currents, and arc lengths were studied.