184_projects:project_5

After you and your group of storm chasers returned from chasing the massive thundercloud across Michigan, you confer and decide you must present your boss (Edric Storm) with a better model of thundercloud. While you appreciate how fast/easy the calculations are when you model a cloud as a point charge, this model is also inaccurate, doesn't account for lightning bolts within the cloud and suggests that lightning should be occurring at all times until the cloud discharges (which is obviously not true). You consult with your colleagues at the National Weather Service, who have also been studying how lightning is created in thunderstorms. They suggest that there are actually two regions of charge in a thundercloud: a positive area at the top and a negative area at the bottom of the cloud.

With your team, build a model for the thundercloud that allows you to calculate the electric field inside and outside the storm cloud. Edric Storm is a real stickler so make sure you have an diagram of the electric field, a graph of the electric field, and a graph of the electric potential to convince him.

Your team has been hired by the Umbrella Corporation to evaluate the design of a “major experiment.” At present, it is planned that the experimental apparatus will be contained by a 6 meter wide cylindrical pipe that is 2 km long near Laredo, Texas. The company that has been chosen to manufacture the pipe is recommending a pipe with walls that are at least 25 cm thick to protect the apparatus inside from lightning strikes. Umbrella Corporation is concerned because the project is already over budget and a 10 cm thick pipe would cost 3 times less.

Your team has been hired to determine the electric field both inside and outside the pipe if it is struck by lightning and to make a recommendation to Umbrella executives. Your recommendation should include diagrams and graphs to communicate your point.

  • 184_projects/project_5.txt
  • Last modified: 2017/09/28 14:01
  • by dmcpadden