Atmospheric Electricity and Power Generation Lecture

Introduction

• Demonstration of generating power using atmospheric electricity.
• Utilized a hexacopter to lift a wire high into the air, connected to a corona motor near the ground.
• Electricity flowed through the wire, powering the corona motor.

Explanation of the Concept

• Adapted from Richard Feynman's Lecture on Physics, "Electricity in the Atmosphere".
• For every meter or yard upward, voltage increases by ~100 volts.
• Equipotential lines can represent these voltage increases.
• The ground is negative, and the sky is positive.
• This effect extends up to 50 kilometers or 31 miles in fair weather.

Why No Shock from the Voltage Difference

• Humans are good electrical conductors, effectively becoming part of the ground when standing on it.
• Equipotential lines create 0 volts between a human's head and the ground.

Electric Current in the Atmosphere

• Downward electrical current of positive ions moving toward the ground.
• Current density is small (~10 picoamps per square meter/yard per second).

Utilizing Atmospheric Electricity

• Connect one end of a wire to the ground and lift the other end into the air.
• Optimal results at ~120 meters (390 feet), creating 12,000 volts due to atmospheric voltage.
• The wire remains at ground potential as it is a conductor.
• Equipotential lines closest at the top of the wire indicate strongest attraction.

Mechanism in Detail

• Six sharp points (sewing pins) placed at the top of the wire.
• Sharp points concentrate charges, creating a strong electric field.
• The electric field removes electrons from the sharp points, neutralizing positive ions.
• Continuous flow of electrons from the wire and positive ions downward results in a current.

Electricity Flow and Motor Operation

• Current is weak, estimated in low microamps, insufficient for electromagnetic motors.
• Suitable for powering an electrostatic motor, like a corona motor.

Corona Motor Details

• Consists of a plastic cylinder with sharp-edged metal blades.
• Every second blade is connected to the wire, reaching the voltage at the wire's top.
• Negative charge is pulled from the plastic cylinder, causing repulsion and rotation.
• Subsequent blades connected to Earth ground attract and neutralize the cylinder's charge.

Conclusion

• Atmospheric electricity can power an electrostatic motor, such as a corona motor.
• For further details and demonstrations, see additional videos on the presenter's YouTube channel.
• Encouragement to subscribe, like, and share the channel for more content.