Effect of the Inclination of the Electric Field on the Inductive Charging Mechanism in Thunderclouds

Abstract

The effect of the inclination of the electric field on the induction charging mechanism in thunderclouds is discussed. It is concluded that in contrast to the case when the electric field is assumed to be essentially vertical, under inclined electric fields the inductive charging process can impart either positive or negative charge to the cloud particles and that this may be an additional source of leakage currents.