The conductivity of the Earth’s atmosphere increases with height due to ionization by solar radiation. At an altitude of about H = 50 km, the atmosphere can be considered practically an ideal conductor. Experiment shows that the height dependence of the conductivity of the atmosphere can be approximated by

where r₀ = 6.4 × 10⁶ m is the radius of the Earth and r is the distance from the center of the Earth to the observation point. The conductivity at the surface of the Earth is σ₀ = 3 × 10⁻¹⁴ S/m and the constant A = 0.5 × 10⁻²⁰ S/m³. Experiment also shows that an electric field E₀ ≈ −100 V/m exists near the Earth’s surface and is directed downward. Estimate the resistance of the atmosphere.

Transcribed Image Text:

o(r) = % + A (r - ro)²,