In this study, the force generated by atmospheric positive and negative corona discharges was investigated using a simulation of a wire–cylinder configuration. We provided new insight into the atmospheric corona discharge by introducing a nonlinear force on the charged particles in the vicinity of the wire electrode. To elucidate the origin of both forces in corona discharges, we performed 2D simulations via COMSOL Multiphysics and MATLAB software. It was observed that the direction of nonlinear force is always from the wire to the cylinder regardless of the applied voltage polarity. It was illustrated that the corresponding nonlinear force of the positive corona is larger than that of the negative corona discharge. However, the span of the nonlinear force is greater in the negative corona discharge. The numerical simulation results showed that, in addition to the linear force (Coulomb force), a strong nonlinear force is generated around the wire electrode (powered electrode) that plays a complementary role in the production of electric wind caused by corona discharge. As this nonlinear force is limited to the vicinity of the wire electrode, it is possible to ignore the nonlinear force with a good approximation in the calculation of the total electrohydrodynamic force, but this force cannot be ignored in the process of forming the electric wind
