?Earth’s lower atmosphere contains negative and positive ions that are produced by

Chapter 26, Problem 32

(choose chapter or problem)

Earth’s lower atmosphere contains negative and positive ions that are produced by radioactive elements in the soil and cosmic rays from space. In a certain region, the atmospheric electric field strength is 120 V/m and the field is directed vertically down. This field causes singly charged positive ions, at a density of \(620 \mathrm{cm}^{-3}\), to drift downward and singly charged negative ions, at a density of \(550 \mathrm{cm}^{-3}\), to drift upward (Fig. 26-28). The measured conductivity of the air in that region is \(2.70 \times 10^{-14}\ (\Omega \cdot \mathrm{m})^{-1}\). Calculate (a) the magnitude of the current density and (b) the ion drift speed, assumed to be the same for positive and negative ions.

Text Transcription:

620 cm^-3

550 cm^-3

2.70 times 10^-14 (Omega cdot m)^-1