# Why does the Earth suck both positive and negative charges?

If the earth is a bit negatively charged, it is understood that it can take away the positive charges of a positively charged body when grounded. Why does it take away the extra electrons of a negatively charged body when grounded?

• Earth is a huge ocean of electrons. Adding or taking a spoonful electrons from this vast sea doesn't bother it . – user36790 Oct 15 '14 at 7:49
• The amount of charge that can be stored on "Earth" depends entirely on the geometry of the second conductor. The planet as a whole has a rather small capacitance relative to infinity, which is on the order of 70uF. A 1C charge would raise the potential of the planet by approx. 14kV. In comparison, we can store many times as much charge in relatively small capacitors at far lower voltages by decreasing the distance between electrodes. – CuriousOne Oct 15 '14 at 8:23
• What I want to know is why does it not repel electrons from a negatively charged body when in contact with it? – ThePhysicist Oct 15 '14 at 8:28
• note that positive charges in solids do not move. It is the lack of electrons that creates a positive chanrge. – anna v Nov 23 '14 at 7:57

This is because of difference in charge density (charge per unit area) between the charged body and charged earth. The charge density is always more in the body than in the earth and hence charges always flow from the body to the earth - be it $+ve$ charge or $-ve$ charge.