Question

In the lower atmosphere of the Earth there are negative and positive ions, created by radioactive elements in the soil and cosmic rays from space. Suppose that at a certain time in a certain region of the atmosphere, the atmospheric electric field strength is 1120 V/m, directed vertically down. Due to this field, singly charged positive ions, 8600/cm3, drift downward and singly charged negative ions, 1650/cm3, drift upward. The measured conductivity is 5 .70 x 10-14 (ohms-m)-1. Calculate the ion drift speed, assuming the same speed for positive and negative ions. Put your answer in the form of "a.bc x 10^(y)" m/s.

Answer 1

| Answer: Corrent density = conductivity xelectric field coment density J= 5.7 xid14 x 1/20 J = 6.384 X1O!! Alm2 drift velocity - The n= 860071650 = 10250 CM n=10250 X 106 m3. Y = (6.384x1d")/(1.6x1@'9x 10250 x 105) V = 3.89x17?m/s