Electrocoalescence of a droplet cluster

Abstract

The electric field strength at which the droplet cluster coalesces with the surface of the underlying water layer is measured, depending on the average radius of the droplets in the cluster. It is established that the surface of the underlying water is electrically charged and affects the value of the field strength initiating coalescence. The obtained dependence is confirmed mathematically from the position of the gain in free energy of droplet-ion plasma when polarized droplets approach each other in an electric field. The obtained data indicate a possible role of electrocoalescence in the problem of rapid rain formation in electrically active atmospheric clouds.