Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of the Earth's net charge, questioning how it can be considered zero despite the influx of particles from the sun and other sources. Participants explore theoretical implications, the nature of charged particles, and the effects of the Earth's atmosphere and surrounding plasma.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- One participant notes that their physics book states the Earth has a net charge of zero and questions how this is possible given incoming particles from the sun.
- Another participant clarifies that most particles from the sun are neutral, suggesting that any charged particles may cancel each other out.
- A different viewpoint proposes a hypothetical scenario where charging an object and ejecting it into space could create a net charge on Earth, but speculates that atmospheric charge could replace it.
- One participant argues that if the Earth gained a charge, it would attract opposite charges and repel like charges, leading to a return to neutrality, while suggesting that the Earth might carry a small, variable charge.
- Another participant discusses the inter-planetary medium as a plasma, indicating that any net charge would be temporary and noting that exceptions to the no net charge rule exist.
- A later reply mentions that due to the movement of electrons in plasma, the Earth might have a net negative charge, though the significance of this charge is uncertain. They provide a figure of around 400,000 Coulombs of charge for the solid and liquid parts of the Earth, while discussing the implications of the surrounding plasma's charge balance.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the nature of the Earth's charge, with some suggesting it is effectively zero while others propose that it may have a small net charge. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.
Contextual Notes
There are limitations in the assumptions made regarding the definitions of charge and the scope of what constitutes the Earth's charge, as well as the effects of the atmosphere and plasma interactions.