Solutions of the continuity equation for electrons in the F2 region of the earth's ionosphere are obtained by including parameters for the various physical processes experienced by the plasma moving in the electromagnetic‐drift frame of reference. The electric field responsible for such a drift is derived from an electric potential, so the E X B/B2 drift velocity has an east‐west component in addition to the usual vertical one. The Jacchia model atmosphere is used, and the description of the photoionization process uses the Chapman function for absorption of radiation by the neutral atmosphere. The ratio of electron temperature to ion temperature can be varied with time. Account is taken of recombination with both molecular oxygen and molecular nitrogen. Other processes included are diffusion and neutral air winds. The velocity of the neutral air winds is assumed to be zero at the equator for equinox conditions and at 15° latitude reaches a maximum of 35 m sec−1 directed away from the equator at 1300 LT and a maximum of 55 m sec−1 directed toward the equator at 0100 LT. It is shown that the east‐west component of the electromagnetic drift has little effect on the solutions. For sunspot‐minimum atmospheric conditions, better agreement with observations in the equatorial region is obtained when the vertical component of the electromagnetic drift velocity peaks at noon rather than at 1500 LT. The sunspot‐maximum results show that there is a phase difference in the electromagnetic drift between sunspot‐maximum and sunspot‐minimum conditions. The over‐all magnitudes of equatorial NmF2 agree fairly well with observations for both sunspot‐minimum and sunspot‐maximum conditions. The equatorward wind at night is a necessary feature to maintain NmF2 at its observed levels at latitudes higher than about 10°. Within 10° of the equator winds do not play an essential role in the maintenance of the nighttime ionosphere. Preliminary results for a moderate latitude field line with a model variation of Te/Ti show several features that are in accordance with Evans' data for the period when the evening increase in NmF2 occurs. Copyright 1969 by the American Geophysical Union.
