ISSN:
1420-9136
Keywords:
Thunderstorm
;
Cloud electricity
;
Clouds
;
electric charge separation in
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract This paper proposes a new model for thunderstorm electric field generation which directly utilizes the dynamic turbulent motion to separate the charges. Postulating a microphysical charge separation mechanism, such as is commonly accepted in most other theories, and which places a negative charge on the larger particles with a positive charge on the smaller ones, it is described how evaporation and cooling at the tops of small cumuli will release the positive charges as ions. These ions migrate to the surrounding cloud as the cooled parcel, with negatively charged particles in it, sinks down through the cloud. Since the sinking parcel contains mostly ice, it will be more buoyant than its surroundings when it reaches rising regions of water cloud, and hence should come to rest near the −10°C level. Thus the cloud will acquire an accumulation of negative charge at about this level before substantial hydrometeors begin falling out of it.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00876073
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