Enhanced attraction between drops carrying fluctuating charge distributions

The electrostatic force between conductive spheres is always attractive at small separations, irrespective of their mean charge, when the charge on the spheres is constant. In many situations, the charge may not be fixed, such as for water drops in the natural atmosphere which vary in size and charge. We show that the attractive force between charged conductive spheres increases with increasing charge variance. The importance of this unrecognized electrostatic effect between water drops is evaluated for its potential to enhance rain formation.

Automated summary

The attractive electrostatic force between conductive spheres is always present at small separations, regardless of their mean charge. Water drops in the natural atmosphere, which vary in size and charge, exhibit an increase in attractive force with higher charge variance. The importance of this unrecognized electrostatic effect between water drops is evaluated for its potential to enhance rain formation.