Abstract
Below 80km, the atmosphere is not plasma in the usual sense because charged particle motion is controlled more closely by neutral drag than by large-scale electromagnetic forces. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is a weak, isotropic electrical conductor with a myriad of electrodynamic phenomena. This conductivity of the air becomes weaker and weaker approaching the earth. Compared to the air at sea level, the earth is essentially a perfect conductor. Negative cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning charges the earth negatively, creating a worldwide “fair weather” electric field pointing vertically downward and continually acts to discharge the planet.
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