On the generation of charge associated with graupel formation in thunderstorms

✍ Scribed by B. J. Mason

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1953
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 583 KB
• Volume: 79
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0035-9009
• DOI: 10.1002/qj.49707934206

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

It is argued that the generation and separation of electric charge above the 0°C level in thunderclouds are consequences of the growth and fall‐motion of graupel pellets. The results of laboratory experiments which show the acquisition of a negative charge by a growing rime deposit are used to calculate the charge liberated during the growth, in a thunderstorm cell, of ice particles by the accretion of supercooled cloud droplets. The calculations show that, in a vigorous warm cumulonimbus, it is possible for this process to generate about 1,000 C of charge within about 11 min of the activation of ice nuclei at the −10°C level, and that this volume of charge can be subsequently separated by the falling precipitation elements at a rate which can account for the production of several successive lightning flashes over a period of a few minutes.