THE SIGN OF ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE ON DRIFTING SNOW

A review of the mechanics by which drifting snow develops electrostatic charge shows the sign of the charge is expected to be negative. A corresponding positive charge is expected at the snow surface. These theoretical expectations are confirmed · by most measurements, but this paper shows that erosion of surface particles may cause charge sign fluctuations. When surface particles are eroded by wind gusts, these positively charged particles become mixed with moving particles that have developed negative charge. The measured sign of charge on a mass of particles trapped from the drift may swing from negative to positive during strong wind gusts