#Negative ions wiki free#

When this solar radiation impacts on our outer atmosphere (the ionosphere) the energy is absorbed by ionisation – electrons being dislodged from their atomic orbits creating both positive and negative ions. The principal source is the Sun, which emits energy in the form of radiation (solar rays) right across the electromagnetic spectrum, from extremely high-energy X-rays, through ultra-violet (UV), to ultra-long-wavelength radio waves. The total voltage differential between the earth and the ionosphere is estimated at between 250-350,00 volts. Below that, atmospheric ions are mostly produced by the radioactive decay of natural outgassing from the earth, such as Radon, and by localised emissions from waterfalls, surf, forests, heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms. These residual ions form the basis of the atmospheric conductivity at all altitudes above 1 km over solid ground.

#Negative ions wiki free#

However, a small percentage of the free charge attaches to air molecules, becoming much less mobile.

Most of the millions of electron-pairs produced in the process immediately recombine. The energy for ionisation comes from a variety of natural environmental sources, predominantly galactic cosmic rays with energies typically 100 GeV or more (1 GeV = 109 electron volts), each of which slams into the atmosphere, leaving a trail of highly ionised gas in its wake. These primary ions, for example N2-, N2+, CO2-, CO2+, O2-, O2+, can attach to other molecules, particularly water, to form ionic particles of varying sizes and therefore mobilities. The molecule from which the electron is detached becomes a positive ion (cation) whilst the freed electron becomes attached to an adjacent molecule to form a negative ion (anion). 4.3 Effects of Air Ions on Human HealthĪir ions are formed when there is sufficient external energy to detach an electron from a gas molecule.