Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,
I am doing the project How far can sparks jump. I am confused as to where the insulating materials are placed. Are they placed between the two steel balls?
If there wasnt any kind of material there, would the spark still go? Because the pizeoelectric fir starter makes a spark automatically. Will the material make the spark go farther?
Thank you,
Soccersparks

Hi. Could you please post all your requests in one thread? It becomes very confusing for everyone if the conversation it split over many threads. I will reply in your old thread.


Louise