What is the source of the Kelvin Water Dropper effect?

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The discussion centers on the nature of charged water streams from a classical mechanics and matter perspective. It highlights that "positive" and "negative" charges in water relate to the autoionization of water, where H(+) and OH(-) ions form. The charge separation is driven by gravitational potential energy and is influenced by dissolved ions. Additionally, it notes that flowing water contains separated charges, similar to the charge separation observed in static electricity, such as when combing hair. However, due to water's conductivity, there is no significant charge buildup, with devices like the Kelvin dropper serving to amplify these effects.
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From a classical mechanics perspective I understand the force interactions leading to the phenomenon, but from a matter perspective, what is a "positive" or "negative ly" charged water stream?

Is this referring to the spontaneousH(+) + OH(- )formations?
 
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The charges come from autoionization of water, yes, as well as any dissolved ions that happen to be in the water. Ultimately, the energy source that drives the charge separation is gravitational potential energy.
 
Also google solvated electron.

Apart from ions flowing water is full of separated charges, this is in principle not much different from the separation of charges that occur when combing hair (or any place where there is some friction). The difference is water is a reasonably good conductor (unless ultra pure), so there is no charge build up. Kelvin dropper just amplifies these effects.
 

Thread 'Molecular-level explanation of macroscopic phenomena: dissolving'

What I know and please correct me: a macroscopic probe of raw sugar you can buy from the store can be modeled to be an almost perfect cube of a size of 0.7 up to 1 mm. Let's assume it was really pure, nothing else but a conglomerate of H12C22O11 molecules stacked one over another in layers with van de Waals (?) "forces" keeping them together in a macroscopic state at a temperature of let's say 20 degrees Celsius. Then I use 100 such tiny pieces to throw them in 20 deg water. I stir the...
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