Investigation of charged nuclei in the free atmosphere

Summary The results of an investigation of the time variations in the vertical distribution of charged nuclei (large ions) in the atmosphere in fair weather were presented. These experiments were carried out with instruments installed in aB-17 aircraft for measuring and recording simultaneously the concentration and mobility distribution of particles with mobility between 0.7 and 2.0×10^–2 cm²/sec-volt, electrical conductivity, temperature, pressure, humidity and air speed.Approximately 25 series of flights were carried out. Each series consisted of three to seven flights over an eight to twenty-four hour period. All flights in a given series were carried out over a fixed flight path. The average time interval between flights was four hours. On each flight constant altitude measurements were made between 700 and 15 000 feet above the surface at altitude intervals of 1000 feet.From shortly after sunrise to early afternoon all flights show a systematic increase with time in the charged nuclei concentration up to the level to which turbulent and convective mixing extends. Analysis of the meteorological data obtained simultaneously shows this is due primarily to the daily turbulent cycle.The late afternoon and night results are more complicated. It was found necessary to separate this data into two groups corresponding to periods of low and high wind velocity. During periods of low advection a systematic decrease with time was observed in the nuclei concentration from the middle of the afternoon to sunrise. Analysis indicates that these changes are the result of nuclei coagulation and subsidence in the atmosphere. Non-systematic changes with time occurred during periods of intense advection which were found to be the result of continued instability in the lowest layers of the atmosphere and to inhomogeneities in the air mass. Above the exchange layer the changes in nuclei concentration in time at a given level were found to be non-systematic.The time variations in the electrical conductivity were summarized and shown to be primarily the result of changes in the nuclei concentration. Further support for this interpretation of the results is given by the nature of the changes with time in the horizontal variations of charged nuclei, electrical conductivity and humidity.