Space and time variations of charged nuclei and electrical conductivity of the atmosphere

Abstract

Abstract The time variations of electrical conductivity and charged nucleus concentration have been investigated in fair weather in the altitude range 700 to 15,000 ft above the surface. In the exchange layer regular variations of nucleus concentration with time are observed from around sunrise to early afternoon. Analysis of the meteorological data obtained simultaneously shows that this variation is due primarily to the daily turbulent cycle. During periods of low advection, regular variations of nucleus concentration with time from early afternoon to the following sunrise are also observed in this region, and are shown to be the result of nucleus coagulation and subsidence. The time variations at night are more complicated during periods of intense advection. Above the exchange layer variations in nucleus content with time are not found to be regular. The variations in electrical conductivity with time are the inverse of the changes in nucleus concentration. The observed relation between conductivity and nucleus concentration is in good agreement with the theory of small ion balance, using Thomson's theory for small ion volume recombination and Bricard's theory for collisions between small ions and nuclei. An analysis of observed daily variations in the magnitude of the horizontal fluctuations of these variables is also given.