Simple explanation of physical nature of ball lightning

• Published in: Optik (Stuttgart) Vol. 203; p. 164013
• Main Authors: Torchigin, V.P., Torchigin, A.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01-02-2020
• Subjects: Ball lightning; Electrostriction pressure; Molecular light scattering; Momentum of light; Optical fiber; Optically induced force; Planar lightguide; Reflective index; Ball lightning; Momentum of light; Optically induced force; Electrostriction pressure; Planar lightguide; 42.65.Tg; 42.65.Jx; Reflective index; Molecular light scattering; Optical fiber
• ISSN: 0030-4026; 1618-1336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2019.164013

Now above 500 different theories on the ball lightning nature are known. We believe that a correct theory should explain anomalous behavior of ball lightning in an atmosphere. A single theory that satisfies this requirements is the optical theory where ball lightning consists of the conventional white light that we see and the air that we breathe. It is a symbiosis of a thin spherical layer of strongly compressed air and the intensive light that circulates in the layer in all possible directions. They help each other. The thin layer of the strongly compressed air is the light guide that prevents radiation of the light in surrounding space. In turn, the intense circulating light compresses the air due to the phenomenon of the electrostriction pressure. White light fells into a trap that it created for himself.
The intensity of the circulating light in the sphere of 10 cm diameter increases by about one billion times as compared with that of the light propagating in a straight line. The forces arising at an interaction of the light and an inhomogeneous optical medium increases by billion times also. These forces surpass other known forces and determine a behavior of the sphere of light in the air atmosphere. Now we presents in a popular form an explanation of the most known and intriguing puzzles of ball lightning behavior. We consider this explanation as the decisive argument in the correctness of the optical theory of the ball lightning nature.