Suspending a low resistance wire vertically in the atmosphere, where there is an electric field gradient of 100 V/m, will indeed produce a current. The difference in electric charge at each end of the wire creates a potential difference, leading to the flow of electric current. This phenomenon is a direct result of the established electric field in the atmosphere, which facilitates the movement of charge carriers through the wire.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism or atmospheric sciences will benefit from this discussion.
The different electric charge means there will flow electric current through a wire which short circuit the difference.jxh022 said:I've read that the atmosphere has a gradient of 100 V/m as altitude increases. My question is, if I suspend a low resistance wire vertically so that each end of the wire resides in a differently charged region of the atmosphere, would a current be produced in this wire?