How do Clouds Acquire Electric Charges?

Could induction be a contributing factor?

The process of electromagnetic induction requires three components.

An excitation field (earth's magnetic field), a conductor (the rain and water vapor), and a velocity component (storm rotation and convection.) Also; could the storm become a self- exciting dynamo with geo-field providing the initial excitation?

Although the induced charge in each raindrop would be quite small, would the charges sum in series?

Also; is there any slight change in valence between water vapor, liquid water, and ice? Any difference in conductivity between water vapor and liquid water would indicate a slight difference in valance whereas the conductivity of ice could be affected by the crystal structure?

Is it possible that the water vapor is phasing to rain at a near specific altitude in the cell? If this is the case then there would be a significant difference in temperature on either side of that point as the latent thermal energy from the phase change is released. Could this in anyway affect charge?

Just a thought.

Could induction be a contributing factor?

The electric field would be perpendicular to both the direction of the conductor and the magnetic field lines and

It seems to be a static electricity phenomenon caused by the updrafts and downdrafts within the cloud.

with wires

Now that is easy to answer!

ummm...according to NASA "A cloud is made of water drops or ice crystals floating in the sky."....so how can they be dry if by definition they contain water?

I would consider ice below the freezing point (no liquid water present) as dry. Cirrus clouds contain ice as can be seen from the appearance of "sun dogs".

Does it mean all clouds contain water in some form or the other? My understanding was clouds are formed around dust particles (need not be water)- which I was referring to as dry clouds.

The water droplets form around "condensation nuclei". Without those nuclei the vapor becomes supersaturated but will suddenly phase if nuclei are then introduced.

Now its time to get back to the basics then!

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm

I certainly do appreciate this link- to learn basics about clouds.I did appreciate the reference to Van De Graaff generator etc. But I still am puzzled as to how charges started developing in the first place.

Anyway you have given reference to to cloud formation in a bottle. Can i see charge development by same technique in a bottle? If winds of different temperatures are required- I am sure - we as engineers can design tat also in a container. Before I venture out to make a lab scale model- I am trying to understand the real phenomena behind.

I believe the general idea of how the charges are formed is particle friction.

When particles collide they might lose an electron and get charged. Did you read up on the Van_de_Graaff_generator?

Or did you mean: "Dust Clouds"

Well, like steam at say 150°C, 1 bar absolute?

How would you know if you can't see them?

Do note that you have positively charged clouds as well as negatively charged clouds. So - may be you cannot attribute it to sun light- as it will not differentiate between positive and negative. Charges developed are static. So magnetic induction is ruled out. We always kept saying gravity is weak, magnetic field is weak. But joules of energy in the cloud is so enormous that I suppose man has still not been able to duplicate it on earth!!!

Why would you even say that without research?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070122-ball-lightning.html

You better do your homework first!

Every atom, stable has equal numbers of + proton, - electron charge. It is the electron that is usually stripped and transferred. If an electron is stripped from the atom then its a positively charge atom, the opposite when electrons exceed than protons we call is negatively charge.

And, i guess you should read or watch youtube on "electrostatic", its a good suggestion

There is no dispute about electrons getting separated from an atom and charges getting getting developed. Positive charges are ions (which are heavy atoms minus an electron). But I still have not got any satisfactory, convincing answer to charge acquisition by clouds.

UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES DO CLOUDS ACQUIRE CHARGES? Is it low pressure. If I can create this in the lab in a sealed glass container, will water vapor at low pressure develop charge- without any other external involvement?

I am sure we are missing something!!!!!

When a warm air mass meets a cold air mass a front forms...

"Air masses create weather as they are moved by winds around the globe. Fronts develop at the boundary where two air masses with different temperatures-and, usually, different humidities-come into contact with each other."

Read more: http://www.scienceclarified.com/A-Al/Air-Masses-and-Fronts.html#ixzz47TOEecFK

How does a Van De Graff generator work? Are there similarities in that process?

Does the separation of charge require a source of energy? I would not be so quick in dismissing induction as a potential source for that energy.

Doesn't the latent heat of water vapor drive the convection?

Is coriolis effect alone enough to drive the rotation?

With the three components of induction are present, that process will occur; it is only scale and action that can be in question.

http://www.hk-phy.org/iq/van_de_graaff/van_de_graaff_e.html

From the wind.

Look forward to your constructive criticism

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