Electrical potential difference across mountain ranges generates measurable electrical currents
the verdict
INSUFFICIENT LEANING
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
2 sources for · 0 against
AS REPORTEDno primary record reached; this is what the reporting says
The retrieved literature notes that large-scale orographic features distort atmospheric electric fields and global circuit currents, and online discussions hypothesize about generating currents from potential differences across mountain ranges, but direct empirical proof that mountain potential differences generate measurable bulk currents remains unestablished.
Atmospheric electric field and current configurations in the vicinity of mountains - NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
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## NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server
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Atmospheric electric field and current configurations in the vicinity of mountainsA number of investigations have been conducted regarding the electrical distortion produced by the earth's orography. Hays and Roble (1979) utilized their global model of atmospheric electricity to study the effect of large-scale orographic features on the currents and fields of the global circuit. The present paper is concerned with an extension of the previous work, taking into account an application of model calculations to orographic features with different configurations and an examination of the electric mapping of these features to ionospheric heights. A two-dimensional quasi-static numerical model of atmospheric electricity is employed. The model contains a detailed electrical conductivity profile. The model region extends from the surface to 100 km and includes the equalization layer located above approximately 70 km. The obtained results show that the electric fi
# Will the electrical potential difference between the Windward and Leeward sides of a mountain range generate electrical current?
Tags: electrostatics, electricity, electrical-engineering, electrochemistry, weather
- Score: 2
- Views: 531
- Answers: 2
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: user300400
- Asked: 2024-07-12
- Edited: 2025-11-05
- Site: physics
## Question
I would like to know if it is possible that the electrical potential difference between the Windward side and the Leeward side of a mountain range, due to a thunderstorm occurring on the Windward side, would be high enough to generate an electric current through an insulated copper cable transversing the mountain range.
This copper cable transversing the mountain range would be sheathed with thick rubber or plastic so that the copper cable does not make physical contact with the mountain rock.
I am interested in finding out if enough electrical current would be generated using one or more insulated copper cables to perhaps charge up an EV battery over X number of hours, or perhaps provide enough electrical current to run a power tool like a handheld drill.
The electrical potential difference would be at its highest whenever
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