Abstract
The surface electric potential of a growing ice crystal was studied for cases of growth by condensation of water vapor. Positive potential was found during the first stage of condensation. It was found that this positive potential was related to the thin liquid water layer which was produced on the ice surface by the condensation process. Also, it was found that this condensation process was necessary for the production of this positive potential. It was shown that H2O molecules arranged themselves so that protons were directed outward from the liquid surface at condensation. It was also seen that negative potential observed at the later condensation stage corresponded to the growth of ice crystals, this negative potential being produced by the negatively electrified dislocations on the ice crystal surface.
It is suggested that these observations are very relevant to electrification in natural clouds.
