Atmospheric electricity
Atmospheric Electricity: The earth's surface has a surface charge density of about 1nCm^-2.There is a corresponding electric field of about 100V/m in the atmosphere above the earth's surface (in the downward direction).So,the electric potential increases by about 100V as one move up by 1m.But the magnitude of the electric field gradually decreases as one move up. At about 50km above the earth's surface,the field is negligible.Thus, the potential difference between the earth's surface and the top of the atmosphere is about 400kV. The atmosphere contains a large number of positive and negative ions. Their main sources are cosmic rays which come from the solar system and the interstellar bodies like stars and galaxies. The cosmic rays contains lots of protons,neutrons, electrons, neutrino and other particles and radiation as well. Dust particles also become charged due to friction when they move through the air. Because of the electric field in the a