Abstract
A quantitative evaluation of the electrification processes due to thermal gradients in ice and inductive charging processes is made for the purpose of identifying those processes and regions in convective clouds where electrification is occurring the most strongly. When the thermal-gradient charging process is possible, due to the presence of solid particles in the clouds, it is found that initially the electrification proceeds more rapidly. This electrification stage is followed quickly by the enhancement of the existing field through induction charging processes. These processes work together to increase the electrification in clouds most rapidly and with the greatest intensity when solid precipitation at temperatures near 0°C are present in cloud air with ice particles that are several degrees colder so that the thermal gradient mechanisms can be present of the right sign and the conductivity of the ice high enough for fast charge transfer between colliding particles. Incorporation of the effects of the electric field on the relative velocities of the charged particles after collision limits the strength of the maximum field but provides for a more natural shape to the electric field growth curve. When this restriction is too severe, relative motion of charged volumes by large scale convection may be required to push the electric field to its discharge intensity.
Published Version
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