Avalanches Of Electrons May Give Thundercloud Insights
Monday, June 1, 2009 - 11:21
in Physics & Chemistry
Understanding thundercloud electrification and lightning initiation is challenging because the ranges of electric potential and spatial extents of electric fields inside thunderclouds are not known. Directly measuring electric fields in thunderclouds is challenging--active regions of storms can cover many cubic kilometers with violent weather conditions, making it difficult to operate balloons and aircraft.