This CalTech Applet shows how a three-point distribution of positive charges surrounding a negative charge can feel a force from the "~0.5 megacoulomb excess negative charge of the earth".
Induction or Tesla Coils sequencing? http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~phys1/java/phys1/EField/EField.html O +1 O -3 O +1 O +1 O -1 O -1 O -1 O -1 O -1 O -1 O -1 O -1 (putative earth charge) Have fun. :-) Fred
