The negative charge of the Earth

In summary, the Earth has a net negative charge while the Ionosphere has a net positive charge, which has been known for over a hundred years. The 'excess' electrons on the Earth's surface are not stationary, but rather continually hopping between atoms with some probability due to various interactions. Atmospheric electrical currents flow downward in fine weather and upward in thunderstorms, with thunderstorms delivering charge to the Earth through lightning, rain, and corona discharges. This is shown in Martin A. Uman's diagram where negative charges rise in fine weather and descend during thunderstorms.
  • #1
d4rr3n
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The Earth has a net negative charge whilst the Ionosphere has a net positive charge, this has been known for well over a hundred years now.

My question is about the negative charge of the Earth, are the free electrons on the Earth's surface stationary? are they whizzing around in the Earth in all different directions like particles in brownian motion?
or is the negative charge of the Earth steadily rising and falling in charge density in rhythm with the Earths schumann frequency?
 
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  • #2
I guess there there is probably a QM answer to this.
The 'excess' electrons in the Earth almost certainly cannot be stationary.
Due to various interactions they will likely be continually hopping from one atom to another with some amount of probability.
 
  • #3
d4rr3n said:
The Earth has a net negative charge whilst the Ionosphere has a net positive charge, this has been known for well over a hundred years now.

My question is about the negative charge of the Earth, are the free electrons on the Earth's surface stationary? are they whizzing around in the Earth in all different directions like particles in brownian motion?
or is the negative charge of the Earth steadily rising and falling in charge density in rhythm with the Earths schumann frequency?

"Atmospheric electrical currents flow downward in fine weather and upward in thunderstorms. Thunderstorms deliver charge to the Earth by lightning, rain, and corona discharges." - Martin A. Uman, All About Lightning, p 152

His diagram shows negative charges rising in fine weather, and descending as lightning under thunderstorms.
 
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What causes the negative charge of the Earth?

The negative charge of the Earth is caused by the accumulation of electrons on the surface of the planet. These electrons are constantly moving and can be transferred from one object to another through various processes such as lightning, friction, and chemical reactions.

How does the negative charge of the Earth affect our daily lives?

The negative charge of the Earth plays a crucial role in many aspects of our daily lives. It helps to maintain the Earth's electrical balance, which is essential for the functioning of various natural processes such as weather patterns, ocean currents, and the Earth's magnetic field. It also allows us to use electricity for various purposes, such as powering our homes and electronic devices.

Is the negative charge of the Earth constant?

The negative charge of the Earth is not constant and can vary in different locations and at different times. This is due to various factors such as changes in the Earth's magnetic field, atmospheric conditions, and human activities that can alter the distribution of electrons on the Earth's surface.

Can humans manipulate the negative charge of the Earth?

While humans cannot directly manipulate the negative charge of the Earth, our activities can affect it indirectly. For example, the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities can release charged particles into the atmosphere, which can influence the Earth's electrical balance. However, the Earth's natural processes work to maintain its electrical balance, so any changes caused by human activities are usually temporary.

What are the potential consequences of a disrupted negative charge of the Earth?

A disrupted negative charge of the Earth can lead to various consequences, such as stronger and more frequent lightning strikes, disruptions to electronic devices and communication systems, and disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field. It can also affect the behavior of animals and plants that rely on the Earth's electrical balance for navigation and communication.

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