Item: Measurements of charge-to-mass ratios on individual blowing snow particles
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Title: Measurements of charge-to-mass ratios on individual blowing snow particles
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1996 International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, Canada
Authors: 0.5. Schmidt, J.D. Dent, R.A. Schmidt, Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 222 South 22nd Street, Laramie, Wyoming 82070
Date: 1996
Abstract: Determining the electrostatic force acting on saltating now particles requires knowledge of the electric field on the saltation region and the charge on the particle. To date, measurements of average charge-to-mass ratios for blowing snow samples have been made, but Schmidt and Schmidt (1992) indicate these may underestimate charge-to-mass ratios for individual particles, due to a mixture of positive and negative charge in the samples. This paper reports on measurements of charge-to-mass ratio for individual blowing snow particles during a moderate blowing snow storm in S.W. Wyoming. We measured charge-to-mass ratios as large as -208 mC/kg, significantly higher then the -10 mC/kg measured by Latham and Montagne (1977) and -50 mC/kg measured by Whishart (1969). This large charge-to-mass ratios was accompanied by a distribution of positive and negative charge on the particles, supporting the conclusions of Schmidt and Schmidt (1992).
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: cornices, triggering, blizzards, saltation
Subjects: saltation snow storm avalanche triggering
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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