Abstract
Results from a numerical model of cloud initiation, growth, and electrification are presented. The model is two-dimensional and time dependent. The first and third equations of motion, a thermodynamic energy equation, and various water conservation equations along with conservation equations for 11 types of ions and neutral particles are solved numerically. The small ion equations (postive and negative ions) model drift velocities, advection, point discharge near the ground, generation due to cosmic radiation, loss due to recombination, and loss or gain due to attachment or detachment of the ions to or from cloud and rain particles. The large ions and neutral particle equations are modeled in the same manner as the small ions but without drift velocities, production due to cosmic radiation, or point discharge. The cloud and rain ions are treated in the same manner as the particles to which they are attached. Positive ions are arbitrarily attached to cloud particles, and negative ions to rain particles to simulate the observations of net positive charge on cloud, net negative charge on rain. Electrical fields and charge concentrations of 70 cm−1 and 10−16 coul cm−3, respectively, are attained with 50–70% free ion attachment to cloud and rain. These fields have a negligible effect on the cloud dynamics. Sedimentation is an important process in establishing the electrical disturbances of the model cloud.
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