Reply To: Site availability is poor

[asymmetric_implosion]

Steven Sesselmann wrote: Some things we take for granted, but when we consider it carefully, it may not be so obvious after all.

Ground potential means absolutely nothing, because a bird sitting on a 10,000V power line feels no charge, in fact we can put a scientist inside a metal cage, charge it to -10,000 volts, and ask him to find the extra electrons, and of course he won’t find them, because inside his cage everything is just fine and normal.

My answer to this part anyway. All measurements are relative. This is known and accepted. In fact, those that work on extreme high voltage rely on it. We choose earth as a reference in most cases because it is large object that we all can agree on. It has a large quantity of electrons so adding or subtracting a tiny fraction doesn’t change the potential of the earth. It is a huge capacitor. Take a multimeter and stick the two probes in the earth. You will measure near zero voltage difference. Take your meter to your metal cage. Touch the cage and measure the voltage between the earth and the cage. (Special meter may be required at 10 kV). You measure it as negative relative to ground as an example. Discharge cage and place scientist inside. Charge cage. The scientist measures the potential of many points in the cage relative to each other. You should get a near zero voltage difference. This is were you stop. You need to complete the experiment. Take one probe and touch the earth outside the cage. The other probe touches the cage. If you have been consistent, the earth will measure the 10 kV with the opposite polarity. You can argue which object has lost electrons or gained electrons, but the number of electrons is so small relative to the total number of electrons in a solid that they are difficult to find. For the non-believer, try it for yourself. I would recommend a lower voltage than 10 kV.