Final answer:
Increasing the gap of the breaker points in a magneto could prevent spark formation, as a higher voltage is needed to jump across a wider gap. This could lead to engine performance issues or failure to start, as the magneto may not generate sufficient voltage, especially in humid conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increasing the gap of the breaker points in a magneto could result in a failure to create a spark if the required voltage to jump across the wider gap exceeds the magneto's capacity. A magneto operates by spinning a magnet quickly in front of a wire coil generating a large voltage between the wire ends, which are separated by an air gap. The voltage must be high enough to induce a spark across this gap, which ignites the fuel-air mixture in an engine. Due to the higher electrical potential required for larger gaps, as seen by the fact that it takes about 75 kV for a 2.5 cm gap, increasing the breaker points gap means that the magneto may not reach the necessary voltage, especially in conditions like humid air, which requires lower voltage for sparks due to its lower breakdown strength. It is also important to note that changing the gap affects the timing and strength of the ignition spark. If the gap is too wide and a spark is still produced, it might be weak and occur at the wrong time, leading to poor engine performance or failure to start. Therefore, it is crucial to set the gap of breaker points to the specifications provided by the engine manufacturer to ensure proper operation.