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Question

Fair weather electrical field near the Earth's surface is typically about

This question was previously asked in
CSIR NET 2019 Earth Science Question Paper (15-Dec-2019)
The correct answer is
100V/m and downward directed

The question pertains to the typical fair weather electrical field near Earth's surface. To correctly understand this, let's explore some related concepts in meteorology.

Earth's surface, along with its atmosphere, has an existing electric field. Under fair weather conditions—meaning no precipitation or storm activity—this electric field is fairly constant and directed downward towards the Earth.

Here's the reasoning for the correct answer:

  1. **Nature of Electric Field:**
    • The Earth possesses a negative charge, while the upper atmosphere has a positive charge, leading to an electric field directed downward.
  2. **Typical Magnitude:**
    • Studies and empirical data indicate that this electric field is around 100 V/m near the Earth's surface. This measurement under fair weather conditions is well-documented in the field of atmospheric electricity.
  3. **Direction of the Electric Field:**
    • Given the negative charge of the Earth relative to the positive charge of the atmosphere, the electric field is directed downward, pointing to the Earth.

Thus, combining both the magnitude and the direction, the typical fair weather Earth's surface electrical field is about 100 V/m and downward directed.

**Conclusion and Elimination of Other Options:**

  • The options suggesting an electric field of 1000 V/m are incorrect as they do not match typical empirical findings for fair weather conditions.
  • The option stating the field is upward directed contradicts the known fact about its orientation towards a negatively charged Earth.

Hence, the correct answer is: 100V/m and downward directed.

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