Question

Storm clouds may build up large negative charges near their bottom edges. The earth is a good conductor, so the charge on the cloud attracts an equal and opposite charge on the earth under the cloud. The electric field strength near the earth depends on the shape of the earth's surface, as we can explain with a simple model. The top metal plate in (Figure 1) has uniformly distributed negative charge. The bottom metal plate, which has a high point, has an equal and opposite charge that is free to move.

A.What is the correct sketch of the two plates and the region between them, showing the distribution of positive charge on the bottom plate and electric field lines between the two plates with the correct direction of the field?

B.Where is the electric field strongest?

C.Explain why it is more dangerous to be on top of a hill or mountain during a lightning storm than on level ground.

Answer 1

The correctsketch of the two plates and the region between them is, The electric field will be strongest in the center of the picture, near the high point. The field will be strongest at the high point of the bottom of the conductor where the air density is mostly likely to break down and becomes conducting and allow the opposite charges to rush toward each other