1. atmospheric electricity
The electricity of the atmosphere, rarely absent, but often changing in amount and sign. Benjamin Franklin, in a memoir published in 1749, indicated the method of drawing electricity from the clouds by pointed conductors. In June, 1752, he flew a kite and by its moistened cord drew an electric spark from the clouds, confirming his hypothesis that lightning was identical with the disruptive discharge of electricity. To observe electricity in fine weather a gold-leaf or other electroscope may be connected to the end of a long pointed insulated conductor. The electricity during thunderstorms can be shown by a similar arrangement, or burning alcohol or tinder gives an ascending current of warm air that acts as a conductor. Quite elaborate apparatus for observing and recording it have been devised. Atmospheric electricity is usually positive, but occasionally negative. When the sky is cloudless it is always positive, increasing with the elevation and isolation of the place. In houses, streets, and under trees no positive electricity can be found. In the Isle of Arran, Scotland, a rise of 24 to 48 volts per foot of increase in elevation was found by Sir William Thomson. At sunrise the electrification of the air is feeble, it increases towards noon and decreases again to reach a second maximum a few hours after sunset. It increases with the barometric pressure generally. In cloudy weather it is sometimes negative and the sign often changes several times in the same day. In a thunderstorm the changes in sign and potential are very rapid. The cause of atmospheric electricity is far from clear. Tait attributes it to a contact effect between air and water vapor, Solmeke to friction of water vesicles against ice particles in the upper atmosphere, he first showing that the two may coexist. The cause of the enormous increase of potential producing lightning is attributed to the decreased capacity due to the change of water from cloud vesicles to drops, thus diminishing the electrostatic capacity of the water in question. (See Lightning.)
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Definitions of atmospheric electricity 
