ELECTRICITY

As an electric current burns across a wood surface it creates incredible ‘Lichtenberg’ figures.

Series: PHENOMENA, Episode 5: ELECTRICITY, Runtime: 03:47

Synopsis:

The universe is infused with electricity. As a powerful electric current is connected through a piece of wood, electricity flows across it’s surface in real-time. The resistance provided by the wood slows the current down, causing it to ignite. Like lightning arcing through the atmosphere, the current moves along the path of least resistance. The burning path visualizes patterns known as ‘Lichtenberg figures’, which resemble the natural flow of rivers, and the skeletal structure of trees.

This film was screened at the Adelaide Film Festival (2018), Splendour In the Grass (2019) and SCINEMA International Film Festival (2020).

This experiment was carried out under controlled conditions. Please do not try this at home.