Molly Ayala
Electricity in the air, or atmospheric electricity, is a fascinating phenomenon that has long been observed by humans. While electricity is typically invisible to the naked eye, there are certain conditions that allow us to see it. This occurs when an electric current conducts through the air, ionizing air molecules and creating a visible plasma. This phenomenon, known as St. Elmo's Fire, has been observed by sailors for centuries, appearing as a ghostly blue-white glow around ships' masts during thunderstorms.
Today, we understand that atmospheric electricity is always present, with the air above the Earth's surface positively charged and the Earth's surface negatively charged during fair weather. Thunderstorms act as giant batteries, charging the atmosphere to extremely high voltages and creating conditions for lightning and other electrical discharges.
The presence of electricity in the air can also be felt or sensed by some people, who experience it as a tingling sensation or a feeling of energy. While it is rare to find people who can sense it, the number seems to be increasing with the rise in electric usage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phenomenon | St. Elmo's Fire |
| Colour | Blue-white |
| Cause | Atmospheric electricity |
| Occurrence | After thunderstorms |
| Cause | Electric field around an object ionises air molecules |
| Cause | High voltage |
| Cause | High voltage affecting a gas |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Lightning colour | Depends on what the light travels through |
| Lightning temperature | 18,000–60,000 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Dangers | Arc 'flashes' |
| Flash temperature | 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Flashes | Between clouds or from clouds to the earth |
| Flashes | Negative electricity |
| Flashes | Can cause fires |
| Flashes | Can be dangerous |
| Flashes | Can cause shock |
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What You'll Learn
St. Elmo's Fire
The 1985 film St. Elmo's Fire is a drama-romance that follows a group of friends who have just graduated college and are struggling with adulthood. The name of the film refers to the phenomenon of St. Elmo's fire, with one character describing it as "electric flashes of light that appear in dark skies out of nowhere".
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Atmospheric electricity
Thunderstorms play a significant role in atmospheric electricity, acting as giant batteries that charge the electrosphere to about 400,000 volts. This results in lightning bolts, which rapidly discharge the atmospheric charge stored in storm clouds. Lightning has a broad range of impacts, including the creation of ozone-producing chemicals and nitrous oxide, triggering wildfires, and causing property damage. The movement of charge between the Earth's surface, the atmosphere, and the ionosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit.
The study of atmospheric electricity dates back to the 18th century, with early experimenters such as Hauksbee, Newton, Wall, Nollet, and Gray, who observed similarities between electrical sparks and lightning. In 1752, Franklin's famous kite experiment demonstrated that electricity could be drawn from clouds, and subsequent experiments by Romas and Cavallo further contributed to our understanding of atmospheric electricity. In the 19th century, Kelvin's work at the Kew Observatory led to the creation of the first comprehensive dataset of electrical and meteorological parameters related to atmospheric electricity.
NASA and other organizations continue to study atmospheric electricity using ground-, airborne-, and space-based instruments. These studies help improve our understanding of storm behavior, lightning safety, and the role of electrical processes in weather and climate. Additionally, the investigation of transient luminous events, such as coloured jets and rings in the upper atmosphere, provides insights into the electrical nature of the atmosphere.
While electricity is typically invisible, there are rare instances where it becomes visible, such as St. Elmo's Fire, where a ghostly, blue-white glow is seen around objects like ships' masts after thunderstorms. This phenomenon occurs when the electric field causes air molecules to break up and become charged, creating plasma.
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Lightning
The phenomenon of lightning is closely associated with thunderstorms. Thunderstorms act as giant batteries in the atmosphere, charging it to about 400,000 volts with respect to the Earth's surface. This sets up an electric field that decreases with altitude. The electric field ionises the air molecules, creating a visible plasma bridge.
While lightning is typically associated with thunderstorms, it is important to note that it can also occur without the presence of thunder. This type of lightning is often referred to as "heat lightning" and is more commonly observed during the summer months.
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The human experience of electricity
Electricity is an ever-present invisible force, usually unseen by the human eye. However, there are rare instances when humans can experience electricity through their senses of sight, sound, and even smell.
One such instance is St. Elmo's Fire, a weather phenomenon that occurs following thunderstorms when a ship's mast or a lightning rod acts as an electrical conduit, causing air molecules to break up and become charged, creating a plasma that emits a ghostly, blue-white glow. This phenomenon, named after Saint Erasmus of Formia, the patron saint of sailors, was considered a good omen by sailors before the age of satellite navigation.
Another way humans can experience electricity is through the sensation of static electricity. This can occur when touching objects like doorknobs or even other people, resulting in a light electric shock or a buzzing sensation on the skin. While usually mild, some individuals report experiencing more intense sensations with increased electric use or during power outages.
In certain conditions, electricity can also create visible arcs or 'flashes' during electrical faults or short circuits. These arcs can reach extremely high temperatures and present potential dangers. However, when controlled, they have been used in early electric lighting, as demonstrated by Humphry Davy in the early 19th century.
Lastly, lightning is a dramatic and powerful display of electricity in the atmosphere. Thunderstorms act as giant batteries, charging the atmosphere to extremely high voltages, resulting in lightning bolts that rapidly discharge this built-up energy. The colour of lightning can vary depending on the atmospheric conditions and the particles it travels through, ranging from the typical whitish-blue to rarer colours like pink and green during snowstorms.
While humans typically cannot see electricity, these experiences showcase the moments when electricity becomes visible, audible, or tangible, providing a glimpse into the powerful and ever-present force that surrounds us.
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Electric arcs
The initiation of an electric arc can occur through thermionic emission or field emission, with the arc subsequently relying on the thermionic emission of electrons from the supporting electrodes. Electric arcs have a lower voltage than a glow discharge, and their maximum current is determined by the external circuit rather than the arc itself. The breakdown voltage of the electrode gap depends on factors such as pressure, distance between electrodes, and the type of gas surrounding them.
To prevent or minimise the risk of injuries, it is essential to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, helmets, goggles, and flame-resistant clothing. Additionally, techniques for arc suppression can be employed to reduce the likelihood and duration of arc formation. Overall, while electric arcs have their benefits, they must be handled with caution to ensure the safety of those working with or around high-voltage equipment.
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Frequently asked questions
This phenomenon is known as St. Elmo's Fire, named after Saint Erasmus of Formia, the patron saint of sailors. It occurs when there is a high voltage in the air between a cloud and the ground, causing air molecules to break up and become charged, creating a visible plasma.
St. Elmo's Fire typically occurs during thunderstorms when the ground below the storm is electrically charged. The high voltage tears apart air molecules, causing the gas to glow. This glow can be blue-white, or red-orange if the electricity passes through a gas like neon.
The colour of St. Elmo's Fire is typically blue-white due to the atmospheric conditions of the Earth being mostly oxygen and nitrogen. However, altering these conditions by passing electricity through different gases, such as neon, can change the colour to red-orange.
Some people report feeling electricity in the air, describing it as a tingling sensation on their skin or the feeling of their hair standing up. This sensation may be more common in areas with high electric usage or during power outages.
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