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Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Question
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Answer the following:
The discharging current in the atmosphere due to the small conductivity of air is known to be 1800 A on an average over the globe. Why then does the atmosphere not discharge itself completely in due course and become electrically neutral? In other words, what keeps the atmosphere charged?

Answer

Thunderstorms and ground lightning across the globe, continuously charges up the atmosphere. And, in a way or other, the atmosphere is discharged through regions of ordinary weather. On an average, the two opposing currents are in equilibrium. Hence, the atmosphere perpetually remains charged.

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