Ion-capture theory

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-006644",
  "term": "Ion-capture theory",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "A hypothesis explaining the electrification of clouds and precipitation, proposing that hydrometeors become charged by selectively capturing atmospheric ions. Larger, faster-falling particles sweep up more ions of one polarity, while smaller, slower particles acquire the opposite charge, leading to charge separation within the cloud. This mechanism is one of several proposed to explain thunderstorm electricity.",
  "see_also": [
    "precipitation current"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/ion-capture-theory/"
}