Induction Charging of Clouds

Abstract

The physical factors governing the induction charge separation mechanism in thunderstorms are discussed. Evidence is presented indicating that rebounding collisions between hailstones and cloud droplets are not (as suggested by Moore, 1975) restricted to grazing collisions near the hailstone equator. Collisions between hailstones and cloud droplets can therefore he expected to play an important part in the charge separation process in thunderstorms.