In the lower atmosphere of the Earth there are negative and positive ions, creat

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 1320 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.

Explanation / Answer

Here, current density = conductivity * electric field

                                    = 5 .70 x 10-14 * 1320

                                    = 7524 * 10-14 A/m2

=> drift velocity   =   (7524 * 10-14) /(1.6 * 10-19 * 10250 * 106)

                             =   0.045878 m/sec

                              = 4.5878   cm/sec

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