The electrosphere is the dc conducting region of the upper atmosphere with condu

Question

The electrosphere is the dc conducting region of the upper atmosphere with conductivity provided by molecules ionized by cosmic rays. It has a height of approximately 25km and in fair weather is positively charged with a potential difference of about 300,000V with respect to the earth?s surface. In the vicintity of a thunderstorm, the potential is nearly 100 times greater, and of opposite sign. A large white bird is ?ying through a thunderstorm when it is hit by lightning. The bolt knocks loose a 1 gram feather, electrically charges it, and blasts it out of the thunderstorm zone. The feather is held suspended for several days until it ?oats over a radium mine and is discharged, whereupon it slowly sinks to the ground and lands at the feet of Forrest Gump. What was the charge on the feather as it ?oated in the air?

Explanation / Answer

if charge is q,
then electrostatic force is balanced by the gravitational pull.

so q*E= m*g

now E=(300000*100)/25000=1200 volt/m

so q=m*g/E

=8.16*10^(-6) coloumbs

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