Molly Ayala
Atmospheric electricity refers to the study of electrical phenomena that occur in the Earth's atmosphere. This includes lightning, atmospheric ionization, the air-earth current, and other electrical processes. The movement of charge between the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, and the ionosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit. The Earth and its inhabitants are constantly bombarded by radiation from outer space, which interacts with atoms in the atmosphere to create an air shower of secondary ionizing radiation, including X-rays, muons, protons, alpha particles, pions, and electrons. This ionization ensures that the atmosphere is weakly conductive, allowing a slight current flow from ions over the Earth's surface, which is balanced by the current flow from thunderstorms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Study of electrical phenomena in the Earth's atmosphere |
| Examples | Lightning, atmospheric ionization, air-earth current, spray electrification, dust electrification, cosmic-ray ionization, radioactive-particle ionization, thunderstorm electrification |
| Source of electricity | Thunderstorms and lightning |
| Average charge | 400,000 volts |
| Current density | 10 micromicroamperes per square meter |
| Current direction | From sky to earth |
| Potential difference | 20, 30, or 100 million volts between clouds and earth |
| Lightning impact | Creation of ozone-producing chemicals, nitrous oxide, triggering wildfires, property damage |
| Notable contributors | Benjamin Franklin, William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), C.T.R. Wilson |
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What You'll Learn
Lightning and thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are formed from a combination of moisture, rapidly rising warm air, and a force capable of lifting the air, such as a warm or cold front, a sea breeze, or a mountain. All thunderstorms contain lightning, and they may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines. Thus, several thunderstorms can affect one location within a few hours.
The electrical nature of lightning was first taught by Ben Franklin in the 1700s. He observed that electrical phenomena in the atmosphere were similar to those produced in a laboratory. In 1752, Franklin's famous kite experiment demonstrated that lightning was caused by electric discharges.
Lightning is an electrical discharge resulting from the buildup of positive and negative charges within a thunderstorm. When the buildup becomes strong enough, lightning appears as a "bolt". This flash of light usually occurs within the clouds or between the clouds and the ground. The charge at the bottom of the cloud is large enough to produce potential differences of 20, 30, or even 100 million volts between the cloud and the Earth. These large voltages break down the air and create giant arc discharges, resulting in lightning strokes.
To stay safe during lightning and thunderstorms, it is recommended to seek shelter in a sturdy building or an enclosed metal vehicle. Stay away from windows, and avoid running water or using electronic devices and landline phones. If outdoors, avoid seeking shelter under tall objects, such as trees, as they may attract lightning.
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Ionisation and conductivity
The Earth's atmosphere contains electrical charges, and the movement of these charges between the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, and the ionosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit.
The Earth and its inhabitants are constantly bombarded by radiation from outer space, which consists of positively charged ions. This radiation interacts with atoms in the atmosphere, creating an air shower of secondary ionising radiation, including X-rays, muons, protons, alpha particles, pions, and electrons. This ionisation ensures that the atmosphere is weakly conductive, and the resulting slight current flow from these ions over the Earth's surface balances the current flow from thunderstorms.
The conductivity of the atmosphere is influenced by various factors, including the ionisation rate from radioactivity, ambient aerosol density, and meteorological parameters such as temperature, pressure, and relative humidity. The number densities of ions are controlled by ionising mechanisms that produce ions and electrons, as well as the loss processes for these charged species. The electrical conductivity of the air in an aerosol-free atmosphere is primarily due to small ions. However, in a polluted atmosphere, these ions attach to aerosol particles, forming intermediate and large ions. Despite their smaller mobility, small ions are still considered the main contributors to local electrical conductivity.
The conductivity of the air increases with altitude due to two main reasons. Firstly, ionisation from cosmic rays increases with altitude, and secondly, as air density decreases, the mean free path of ions increases, allowing them to travel farther in the electric field before colliding, resulting in a rapid increase in conductivity.
The Earth's atmosphere is weakly conductive, and this conductivity is essential for the movement of electrical charges and the maintenance of the global atmospheric electrical circuit.
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Electrostatic forces
The Earth's atmosphere is weakly conductive due to ionization from secondary radiation, resulting in a slight current flow over the Earth's surface. This conductivity is caused by the presence of ions, which are molecules that have gained or lost electrons. These ions accumulate other molecules, creating lumps that drift in the electric field, generating the observed current. The potential difference between the ionosphere and the Earth is maintained by thunderstorms, which deliver negative charges to the Earth through lightning strikes.
The atmospheric potential gradient leads to an ion flow from the positively charged atmosphere to the negatively charged Earth's surface. This gradient can be influenced by objects protruding from the fields, such as flowers and trees, which can increase the electric field strength. These near-surface electrostatic forces are detected by organisms like bumblebees and spiders, aiding in navigation and dispersal.
The concept of electrostatics helps explain the behaviour of electric charges within the atmosphere. Electrostatic phenomena arise from the forces exerted by electric charges on each other, as described by Coulomb's law. Gauss's law further elaborates on the relationship between electric flux and electric charge within a closed surface in an electric field. The electrostatic model accurately predicts electrical behaviour in classical cases with low velocities and macroscopic systems, where quantum effects are absent.
Additionally, the electrostatic approximation is applicable when analysing systems with static charges and negligible time-varying magnetic fields. This approximation assumes an irrotational electric field and does not require the absence of magnetic fields or electric currents. Instead, it focuses on their slow variation over time. Understanding these electrostatic principles is essential for comprehending the flow of electricity in the Earth's atmosphere.
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Electrical phenomena
Atmospheric electricity refers to the study of electrical phenomena that occur in the Earth's atmosphere. The movement of charge between the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, and the ionosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit.
The Earth and its inhabitants are constantly bombarded by radiation from outer space, primarily consisting of positively charged ions. This radiation interacts with atoms in the atmosphere, creating an air shower of secondary ionizing radiation, including X-rays, muons, protons, alpha particles, pions, and electrons. This ionization ensures that the atmosphere is weakly conductive, allowing for a slight current flow from these ions over the Earth's surface, even in the absence of thunderstorms.
The electrical phenomena in the atmosphere include lightning, atmospheric ionization, the air-earth current, and other quiescent electrical processes. Lightning, a well-known electrical phenomenon, has a significant impact on the environment. It creates ozone-producing chemicals and nitrous oxide, triggers wildfires, and causes property damage. Additionally, lightning provides insight into the occurrence of transient luminous events, such as coloured jets, rings, and other electrical light shapes observed beyond the troposphere during storms.
Benjamin Franklin, William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), and C.T.R. Wilson made significant contributions to our understanding of atmospheric electricity. Franklin hypothesized that electricity could be extracted from clouds using a tall metal aerial, and his experiments demonstrated similarities between electrical phenomena in the atmosphere and those produced in laboratories. Thomas-François Dalibard later confirmed Franklin's theory by drawing sparks from a passing cloud using an iron rod.
Another electrical phenomenon is St. Elmo's Fire, where luminous plasma is created by a coronal discharge from a grounded object. It is often observed during thunderstorms at the tops of tall objects or on the heads of animals, appearing as a brush or star of light.
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Global atmospheric electrical circuit
The movement of electrical charge between the Earth's surface, its atmosphere, and the ionosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit.
The Earth and its atmosphere are constantly bombarded by radiation from outer space, which consists of positively charged ions. This radiation interacts with atoms in the atmosphere, creating an air shower of secondary ionising radiation, including X-rays, muons, protons, alpha particles, pions, and electrons. This ionisation ensures that the atmosphere is weakly conductive, and a slight current flows from these ions over the Earth's surface.
The potential difference between the ionosphere and the Earth is maintained by thunderstorms, which deliver negative charges from the atmosphere to the ground. Lightning strikes carry negative charges to the Earth, charging it with an average of 1800 amperes. These thunderstorms act as a giant battery, charging the electrosphere to about 400,000 volts with respect to the surface. This sets up an electric field throughout the atmosphere, which decreases with an increase in altitude.
Atmospheric ions created by cosmic rays and natural radioactivity move in the electric field, so a small current flows through the atmosphere, even in the absence of thunderstorms. This current density is about 10 micromicroamperes per square meter parallel to the Earth. The global atmospheric electrical circuit extends throughout the atmosphere, from the planetary surface to the lower layers of the ionosphere.
The global atmospheric electrical circuit has been shown to have links with clouds, global temperatures, and cosmic ray ionisation. Even small modulations in the circuit can affect cloud properties and modify the radiative balance of the atmosphere.
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Frequently asked questions
Atmospheric electricity is the study of electrical phenomena that occur in the Earth's atmosphere, such as lightning, atmospheric ionization, and the air-earth current.
The movement of charge between the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, and the ionosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit. The Earth and living things on it are bombarded by radiation from outer space, which interacts with atoms in the atmosphere to create an air shower of secondary ionizing radiation. This ionization ensures that the atmosphere is weakly conductive, allowing a slight current flow from these ions over the Earth's surface.
Thunderstorms act as a giant battery in the atmosphere, charging it up to about 400,000 volts. Lightning delivers negative charges from the atmosphere to the ground, contributing to the global atmospheric electrical circuit.
