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Simple explanation of physical nature of ball lightning
Journal Pre-proof Simple explanation of physical nature of ball lightning V.P. Torchigin, A.V. Torchigin
PII:
S0030-4026(19)31912-6
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2019.164013
Reference:
IJLEO 164013
To appear in:
Optik
Received Date:
28 October 2019
Accepted Date:
6 December 2019
Please cite this article as: Torchigin VP, Torchigin AV, Simple explanation of physical nature of ball lightning, Optik (2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2019.164013
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. © 2019 Published by Elsevier.
1
Simple explanation of physical nature of ball lightning V. P. Torchigin, A.V. Torchigin Institute of Informatics Problems, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova Str., 44 Build. 2, Moscow, 119333, Russia PACS: 42.65.Jx, 42.65.Tg
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Abstract 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.
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Keywords: ball lightning, optically induced force, electrostriction pressure, planar lightguide, optical fiber, reflective index, momentum of light; molecular light scattering
Introduction
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In 2019, several publications appeared in the USA and Australia press that the article was published in the scientific journal Optik that talked about the unraveled nature of ball lightning. The authors of these publications, to the best of their knowledge and understanding, tried to explain the nature of ball lightning. From their explanation, it can be understood that one more additional explanation is proposed in addition to the existing over 500 explanations. We believe that two important points were missed. Firstly, unlike known explanations, the proposed explanation makes it possible to understand the reason for the mysterious behavior of ball lightning in the atmosphere and their anomalous properties. Secondly, for the first time, the forces arising at an interaction of light with an optical medium are taken into account. It is these forces that are responsible for the mysterious behavior of ball lightning, which none of the existing theories about ball lightning can explain. We believe that it makes sense to present in a popular form the physical nature of ball lightning based on our three dozen articles published in last 15 years in leading international journals in physics and optics [1-32]. More information can be found in these articles. We do not
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use any formulas and mathematical notions to explain the ball lightning behavior the widest circle of readers. Ball lightning can be imagined as a soap bubble where the soap film is substituted by the film of strongly compressed air where conventional intense white light is circulating in all possible directions. The reflective index of the film surpasses that of surrounding space and the film is a 2D lightguide that provides the circulation of light and prevents it from radiation in free space. The conventional intense circulating white light provides the compression of the air due to the known physical phenomenon of the optical electrostriction pressure. This symbiosis of the circulating light and compressed air is the natural ball lightning. That’s all. We overcame the desire to trim the tail in the term "ball lightning" and to call it "ball light" because it is not a ball but a sphere. Because of this we will call it the bubble of light. Unlike a soap bubble, a bubble of light is luminous because a part of the circulating light is radiated due to the molecular light scattering. Besides, its spherical form is provided by the centrifugal pressure produced by circulating light rather than the excess air pressure within the sphere in the soap bubble. In this case the deformability of the bubble of light is greater than that of the soap bubble. The decisive proof of correctness of the presented explanation is the fact that the mysterious and inexplicable behavior of natural ball lightning, obtained from the evidence of many eyewitnesses, completely coincides with the behavior of our bubble of light based on the laws of physics and optics known since 19th century. Unfortunately, there is currently no generally accepted theory for calculation of the magnitude of optically induced forces. We needed to publish above three dozen of papers to present their theory [33-61]. In particular, we have shown that an action of these force in an inhomogeneous optical medium provides a propagation of light along the trajectory described by laws of geometric optics. These laws are known since 17th century and we will use them for a simple explanation of abnormal motion of the bubble of light in the earth’s atmosphere. Mirages in deserts are explained by the laws of geometric optics. In accordance with these laws, a beam of light propagating in an inhomogeneous optical medium deviates from a straight line in the direction in which the reflective index of the medium increases. In our case, such a medium is air, the reflective index of which increases with increasing the air density. The air density increases with increasing the air pressure and a decrease in the air temperature. This basic information is sufficient for further explanations. For example, let a beam of light deviate from a straight line by only 1 m when propagating for 30 km. Taking into account that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s, we get that the beam deviates by 1 m in 0.1 ms. Then its velocity in the transverse direction is 10 km/s. A bubble of light located in a similar homogeneous medium has the similar speed. It is screwed into a heterogeneous optical medium, just as a screw is screwed into a piece of wood. For example, if light is screwed into the medium in one revolution per 1 μm in 1 ns, then it will be screwed per 1 km in one second. This example shows that a light bubble is a very sensitive device that responds to the smallest inhomogeneities in the density of the air in which it is located.
Analysis of a behavior of a bubble of light It is not surprising that the ball lightning that falls from heaven to earth does not hit the surface of the earth, but is based at a certain distance from it. Indeed, the air density increases as one approaches the surface of the earth. Therefore, the bubble of light moves toward the earth. However, there is an anomaly in the distribution of air density immediately near the surface of the earth. This is due to the fact that the earth’s surface is heated by solar radiation. The nearby air layers are heated from the earth’s surface. The density of warm air decreases near the earth’s
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surface and the maximum air density is located at some distance from the earth. At this maximum, the bubble of light stops [22]. The same explanation can be applied to another surprising fact that unlike a child balloon, a bubble of light does not rise up if the Archimedes force is greater than gravity and does not fall to the ground if the force is smaller. Bubble of light moves horizontally in the direction of increasing of the air density at the height where the air density in vertical direction is maximal. There are different reasons of violating of homogeneous air density. For example, let there be a hole between a room and outside the room where a bubble of light is located. Let the room temperature be lower than outside. Then outside the hole there is an inhomogeneity of air density, and the closer to the hole, the air density is higher. Getting into such a heterogeneity, the bubble of light moves in the direction of increasing the air density, that is, in the direction to the hole. There is also a heterogeneity of air density in the hole itself. The closer to the room, the greater the air density. Moving in the direction of increasing the air density, the bubble of light penetrates the room through the hole [28]. What happens if the transverse dimensions of the hole are smaller than the transverse size of the bubble of light? Approaching the walls of the hole, which impede the passage of the bubble, the bubble of light heats these walls due to the radiation emitted by it. The walls heat the nearby layers of air. The density of air in these layers decreases. The surface of the bubble of light are in the area where the air density increases with increasing a distance from the walls. Different regions of the bubble of light surfaces occur in the area with different air densities. This leads to the deformation of the bubble of light in such a way that its surface moves away from those walls that prevent the bubble of light from passing through. As a result, the bubble of light is deformed so that its surface is removed from the walls of the hole. As soon as the walls of the bubble of light approach the walls of the hole, forces arise that tend to squeeze the surface of the bubble of light from the wall of the hole. Thus, ball lightning can penetrate into the room through openings with a relatively small cross section [17]. A similar mechanism allows a bubble of light to bypass obstacles. Approaching the obstacle, the bubble of light heats it due to the radiation emitted by it. The obstacle heats nearby air layers and their air density decreases. The closer to the obstacle, the smaller the air density. Moving in the direction of increasing air density, the bubble of light repels from the obstacle and thus does not collide with it [22, 24]. In the same way, another seemingly unimaginable phenomenon is explained as ball lightning can learn about a flying airplane, catch up with it and enter the saloon. A flying airplane creates a rather strong inhomogeneity of air. For example, the air pressure at the leading edge of the wing of an airliner increases by about 20%. This heterogeneity spreads around the airliner and moves with it. In this case, the closer to the airplane, the greater the air density. Getting into such a heterogeneity, a bubble of light moves in the direction of increasing air density, that is, in the direction of the airliner. Upon reaching the airliner, the light bubble is located in the area where the air density is maximum. It is known that the air pressure in the saloon is greater than outside at high altitude. If there is a hole between the saloon and the surrounding area, then the bubble of light, moving in the direction of increasing air density, penetrates into the saloon changing its shape as is explained above [21]. Now we can explain two situations that seem unthinkable for any conceivable objects. An object in the form of ball lightning can penetrate through window panes. It is known that no particles can penetrate through glass. What then does ball lightning consist of? The answer is simple. It consists of light and air. The light can penetrate glass. Glass is transparent for light and is used for penetration of light through it. Compressed air cannot penetrate the glass. But this is not required. The exactly similar air is on the other side of the glass, which is compressed by the
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light penetrating through the glass. The process of penetration of a bubble of light through glass is considered in detail in [1, 20]. Consider now another unthinkable situation where the object can move against a wind. Any object consisting of any particles should be blown by a wind like a smoke or clouds. As is known, a beam of light is not blown by wind. Moreover, the beam of light deflects in the side where the air density increases rather than in the direction of the wind. If a bubble of light moves relatively the air, it is subject to action of the Stokes force that brakes its motion. As a result, the air pressure on the front hemisphere is greater than that on the rear one. Then the optically force applied to the front hemisphere is greater than that to the rear one. This force is proportional to the energy stored in the bubble of light and can be greater than the Stokes force. Analysis of the motion of the bubble of light against the wind in presented in [26] in detail. It is easy to explain why ball lightning emits white light, like a hot body heated to several thousand degrees, but at the same time it does not seem hot. Indeed the bubble of light radiated white light circulating in its shell due to the phenomenon of molecular light scattering. There are no hot body and atoms exited at great temperature. The same explanation can be applied to the fact that a color of radiated light is not changed in time. Abrupt and traceless disappearance of the bubble of light can be explained by a single word “instability”. Like a soap bubble that becomes instable when thickness of its film becomes below a certain threshold, bubble of light becomes instable since the intensity of circulating light decreases gradually due to radiation of light. When the intensity of circulating light becomes smaller a certain threshold, the bubble of light becomes instable. In this case, the air pressure decreases that entails increase the radiation losses that entails a further decrease of the light intensity that entails a further decrease of the air pressure and so on. In this case the light radiates in all sides of surrounding space. The compressed air expands and no trace remains. Sometimes a disappearance of ball lightning is accompanied by a load sound. The speed of the light is greater than the speed of the sound by six orders of magnitude. In this case the time constant of the transient processes connected with light is smaller by the same times as compared with the transient processes connected with sound. As a result, the circulating light leaves the bubble of light faster than the compressed air expands. The expansion of the compressed air is heard as a shot from a pistol. This indicates that the volume of compressed air is small. It is noted that ball lightnings can leave odors of ozone, nitric oxide and sulfur after their disappearance. We have shown that an increase of the reflective index in the film where the intense light is circulating can be implemented not only by compression of the air but also by draw in the film gases, the reflective index of which exceeds the reflective index of air. The reflective index of the listed gases is greater than that of the air [7, 9]. There is a heterogeneity in a distribution of the air density in a room where the air temperature near a floor is smaller than that near a ceiling. In this case, the bubble of light moves to the floor, which can be considered as an obstacle. At a small distance between the bubble of light and the floor, it heats the floor due to the radiation of the bubble. The floor heats nearby air layers due to the phenomenon of heat conduction. As a result, the optically induced force directed upward arises. Since the mass of the bubble of light is different from zero, the bubble of light bounces off the floor and moves upward at decreasing speed. When the speed becomes zero, the bubble of light begins to move down and the process repeats. An analysis of the processes at the time when the bubble of light bounces off the floor is given in [23, 25].
Conclusion We have shown that almost all the known mysterious properties of natural ball lightning are easily explained under the assumption that ball lightning is a bubble of light that is subject to
5 the action of optically induced forces. These forces are extremely small at achievable light intensities and are usually neglected. However, the intensity of the circulating light in a bubble of light increases a billion times and these forces are superior in magnitude to other known types of forces. It is the action of these forces that determines all the anomalies and puzzles of natural ball lightning. Since the behavior of a light bubble based on the simple laws of optics is identical to the mysterious and intriguing behavior of natural ball lightning, we can conclude that the bubble of light is not a game of imagination, but a real object that exists in the nature. This is the first representative from the new world where circulating light plays a decisive role.
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Declaration of interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests
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References
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1. Torchigin V.P On the Nature of Ball Lightning Doklady Physics, Vol. 48, No. 3, 2003, pp. 108. 2. Torchigin V.P Optical Resonators in the Atmosphere Laser Physics, Vol. 13, No. 6, 2003, pp. 1 14. 3. Torchigin V.P Optical Resonators in the Atmosphere Laser Physics, Vol. 13, No. 7, 2003, pp. 919 4. Torchigin V.P Propagation of Self-Confinement Light Radiation in Inhomogeneous Air Physica Scripta. Vol. 68, no. 6, (2003) 388. 5. Torchigin V.P. Mechanism of the Appearance of Ball Lightning from Usual Lightning Doklady Physics, Vol. 49, No. 9, 2004, pp. 494. 6. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Manifestation of Optical Quadratic Nonlinearity in Gas Mixtures Doklady Physics, Vol. 49, No. 10, 2004, pp. 553. 7. V. Torchigin, A. Torchigin. Role of Ball Lightnings in Low Energy Nuclear Reactions Infinite Energy 54 (2004) 46 8. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Space solitons in gas mixtures Optics Communications 240 (2004) 449 9. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Behavior of self-confined spherical layer of light radiation in the air atmosphere Physics Letters A 328 (2004) 189 10. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Phenomenon of ball lightning and its outgrowths Physics Letters A 337 (2005) 112 11. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Features of ball lightning stability. Eur. Phys. J. D. 32 (2005) 383 12. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Self-organization of intense light within erosive gas discharges Physics Letters A 361 (2007) 167 13. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. On phenomenon of light radiation from miniature balls immersed in water Physics Letters A (2010) 374 14. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Interrelation between ball lightning and optically induced forces Phys. Scr. 88 (2013) 035402 (6pp) 15. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Nonlinear properties of gaseous optical mediums in a context of ball lightning explanation Optik 127 (2016) 2319 16. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Stability of the self-confined light Optik 127 (2016) 2298 17. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. How Ball Lightning penetrates in room through small holes and splits Optik 127 (2016) 6155 18. Ball Lightning as a self-confined light Optik 127 (2016) 2202 19. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Nonlinear properties of gaseous optical mediums in a context of ball lightning explanation Optik 127 (2016) 2319 20. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. How the ball lightning enters the room through the windowpanes Optik 127 (2016) 5876 21. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. How ball lightning manages to catch up a flying aircraft and penetrate into its salon Optik 148 (2017) 196 22. Torchigin V.P. Explanation of abnormal behavior of ball lightning near the earth surface Optik 171 (2018) 167 23. Torchigin V.P Explanation of anomalous bouncing luminous droplets of liquid silicon in a framework of the optical model of Ball Lightning Optik 171 (2018) 188
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24. Torchigin V.P Explanation of abnormal motion of ball lightning near the earth's surface Optics 171 (2018) 149 25. Torchigin V.P Explanation of abnormal motion of glowing silicon balls in a framework of optical model of ball lightning Optik 176 (2019) 704 26. Torchigin V.P How optical model of ball lightning explains its paradoxical movement upwind Optik 184 (2019) 533-537 27. Torchigin V.P Why ball lightning disappears suddenly traceless Optik 187 (2019) 65-69 28. Torchigin V.P How ball lightning finds out slots and holes to penetrate through them Optik (2019) 163 126 29. Torchigin V.P Ball lightning as a bubble of self-confined light Optik 186 (2019) 63-71 30. Torchigin V.P Physics of a ball lightning in a form of a bubble of light Optik 188 (2019) 294-301 31. Torchigin V.P Ball lightning as a bubble of light: Existence and stability Optik 193 (2019) 162 961 32. Torchigin V.P. Optical electrostriction pressure in liquid, solids and gases Optik 189 (2019) 90-96 33. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Comparison of various approaches to the calculation of optically induced forces Annals of Physics 327 (2012) 2288 2300 34. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Interrelation between striction forces in dielectrics and optically induced forces in transparent media Phys. Scr. 86 (2012) 025402 (8pp) 35. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Interrelation between various types of optically induced forces Optics Communications 301–302 (2013) 147–151 36. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Compensation of the optically induced Lorentz force in a homogeneous optical medium Optik 124 (2013) 5492– 5495 37. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Interrelation between ball lightning and optically induced forces Phys. Scr. 88 (2013) 035402 38. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Optically induced force in a curve waveguide Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. (2013) 63: 10501 39. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Magnitude of the photon momentum in matter American Journal of Science and Technology 1(4) (2014) 151 40. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Comment on “Theoretical analysis of the force on the end face of a nanofilament exerted by an outgoing light pulse” PRA 89 no.5, (2014) 057801 41. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Propagation of a light pulse inside matter in a context of the Abraham–Minkowski dilemma Optik 125 (2014) 2687 42. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Resolution of the Age-Old Dilemma about a Magnitude of the Momentum of Light in Matter Hindawi Publishing Corporation Physics Research International Volume 2014, Article ID 126436, 9 pages 43. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. The momentum of an electromagnetic wave inside a dielectric derived from the Snell refraction law Annals of Physics 351 (2014) 444 44. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Pressure Exerted on a Semi-Infinite Lossless Dispersionless Dielectric by a Plane Electromagnetic Wave Open journal of modern physics (2014) issn (print): 2372-627X ISSN(Online): 2372
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45. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Comment on “Deducing radiation pressure on a submerged mirror from the Doppler shift Phys Rev A 92 no.1 (2015) 01794 46. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Kinds of optically induced force derived from laws of conservation of the momentum and energy Optik 126 (19) (2015) 1878 47. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Radiation pressure on plane dielectric surfaces Optik 126 (19) (2015) 1767 48. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Optical pressure applied to a semi-infinitive dielectric Optik 127 (2016) 6066 49. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Photon and physical phenomena responsible for its momentum Optik 127 (2016) 6120 6128 50. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Nonlinear properties of gaseous optical mediums in a context of ball lightning explanation Optik 127 (2016) 2319 - 2324 51. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Physical nature and magnitude of optically induced forces derived from laws of mechanics Optik 127 (2016) 5976-5983 52. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Equation of motion of a photon in an optical medium Optik 127 (2016) 6708 53. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Photon momentum and optically induced force in matter derived from eikonal equation Optik 127 (2016) 8604 54. Torchigin V.P., Torchigin A.V. Optical electrostriction pressure and its influence on the momentum of the light pulse in an optical medium Optik 148 (2017) 120 123 55. Torchigin V.P. Momentum of a wave and additional forces connected with the momentum Optik 158 (2018) 861 56. Torchigin V.P. Comparison of various approaches for calculation of optically induced forces Optik 183 (2019) 346. 57. Torchigin V.P. Additional arguments in favor of the Minkowski form of the Momentum of light in matter Optik, Volume 186, June 2019, Pages 390 58. Torchigin V.P. Momentum of a wave of any physical nature in a context of the Abraham-Minkowski dilemma Optik, 187 (2019) 148 59. Torchigin V.P. Another argument in favor of the Minkowski form of the momentum of light in matter Optik 194 (2019) 163127 60. Torchigin V.P. Mass of the photon propagating in an optical medium and mass of its electromagnetic and mechanical components Optik 194 (2019) 163125 61. Torchigin V.P. Optical electrostriction pressure in liquid, solids and gases Optik 189 (2019) 90-96
PII:
S0030-4026(19)31912-6
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2019.164013
Reference:
IJLEO 164013
To appear in:
Optik
Received Date:
28 October 2019
Accepted Date:
6 December 2019
Please cite this article as: Torchigin VP, Torchigin AV, Simple explanation of physical nature of ball lightning, Optik (2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2019.164013
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. © 2019 Published by Elsevier.
1
Simple explanation of physical nature of ball lightning V. P. Torchigin, A.V. Torchigin Institute of Informatics Problems, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova Str., 44 Build. 2, Moscow, 119333, Russia PACS: 42.65.Jx, 42.65.Tg
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Abstract 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.
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Keywords: ball lightning, optically induced force, electrostriction pressure, planar lightguide, optical fiber, reflective index, momentum of light; molecular light scattering
Introduction
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In 2019, several publications appeared in the USA and Australia press that the article was published in the scientific journal Optik that talked about the unraveled nature of ball lightning. The authors of these publications, to the best of their knowledge and understanding, tried to explain the nature of ball lightning. From their explanation, it can be understood that one more additional explanation is proposed in addition to the existing over 500 explanations. We believe that two important points were missed. Firstly, unlike known explanations, the proposed explanation makes it possible to understand the reason for the mysterious behavior of ball lightning in the atmosphere and their anomalous properties. Secondly, for the first time, the forces arising at an interaction of light with an optical medium are taken into account. It is these forces that are responsible for the mysterious behavior of ball lightning, which none of the existing theories about ball lightning can explain. We believe that it makes sense to present in a popular form the physical nature of ball lightning based on our three dozen articles published in last 15 years in leading international journals in physics and optics [1-32]. More information can be found in these articles. We do not
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use any formulas and mathematical notions to explain the ball lightning behavior the widest circle of readers. Ball lightning can be imagined as a soap bubble where the soap film is substituted by the film of strongly compressed air where conventional intense white light is circulating in all possible directions. The reflective index of the film surpasses that of surrounding space and the film is a 2D lightguide that provides the circulation of light and prevents it from radiation in free space. The conventional intense circulating white light provides the compression of the air due to the known physical phenomenon of the optical electrostriction pressure. This symbiosis of the circulating light and compressed air is the natural ball lightning. That’s all. We overcame the desire to trim the tail in the term "ball lightning" and to call it "ball light" because it is not a ball but a sphere. Because of this we will call it the bubble of light. Unlike a soap bubble, a bubble of light is luminous because a part of the circulating light is radiated due to the molecular light scattering. Besides, its spherical form is provided by the centrifugal pressure produced by circulating light rather than the excess air pressure within the sphere in the soap bubble. In this case the deformability of the bubble of light is greater than that of the soap bubble. The decisive proof of correctness of the presented explanation is the fact that the mysterious and inexplicable behavior of natural ball lightning, obtained from the evidence of many eyewitnesses, completely coincides with the behavior of our bubble of light based on the laws of physics and optics known since 19th century. Unfortunately, there is currently no generally accepted theory for calculation of the magnitude of optically induced forces. We needed to publish above three dozen of papers to present their theory [33-61]. In particular, we have shown that an action of these force in an inhomogeneous optical medium provides a propagation of light along the trajectory described by laws of geometric optics. These laws are known since 17th century and we will use them for a simple explanation of abnormal motion of the bubble of light in the earth’s atmosphere. Mirages in deserts are explained by the laws of geometric optics. In accordance with these laws, a beam of light propagating in an inhomogeneous optical medium deviates from a straight line in the direction in which the reflective index of the medium increases. In our case, such a medium is air, the reflective index of which increases with increasing the air density. The air density increases with increasing the air pressure and a decrease in the air temperature. This basic information is sufficient for further explanations. For example, let a beam of light deviate from a straight line by only 1 m when propagating for 30 km. Taking into account that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s, we get that the beam deviates by 1 m in 0.1 ms. Then its velocity in the transverse direction is 10 km/s. A bubble of light located in a similar homogeneous medium has the similar speed. It is screwed into a heterogeneous optical medium, just as a screw is screwed into a piece of wood. For example, if light is screwed into the medium in one revolution per 1 μm in 1 ns, then it will be screwed per 1 km in one second. This example shows that a light bubble is a very sensitive device that responds to the smallest inhomogeneities in the density of the air in which it is located.
Analysis of a behavior of a bubble of light It is not surprising that the ball lightning that falls from heaven to earth does not hit the surface of the earth, but is based at a certain distance from it. Indeed, the air density increases as one approaches the surface of the earth. Therefore, the bubble of light moves toward the earth. However, there is an anomaly in the distribution of air density immediately near the surface of the earth. This is due to the fact that the earth’s surface is heated by solar radiation. The nearby air layers are heated from the earth’s surface. The density of warm air decreases near the earth’s
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surface and the maximum air density is located at some distance from the earth. At this maximum, the bubble of light stops [22]. The same explanation can be applied to another surprising fact that unlike a child balloon, a bubble of light does not rise up if the Archimedes force is greater than gravity and does not fall to the ground if the force is smaller. Bubble of light moves horizontally in the direction of increasing of the air density at the height where the air density in vertical direction is maximal. There are different reasons of violating of homogeneous air density. For example, let there be a hole between a room and outside the room where a bubble of light is located. Let the room temperature be lower than outside. Then outside the hole there is an inhomogeneity of air density, and the closer to the hole, the air density is higher. Getting into such a heterogeneity, the bubble of light moves in the direction of increasing the air density, that is, in the direction to the hole. There is also a heterogeneity of air density in the hole itself. The closer to the room, the greater the air density. Moving in the direction of increasing the air density, the bubble of light penetrates the room through the hole [28]. What happens if the transverse dimensions of the hole are smaller than the transverse size of the bubble of light? Approaching the walls of the hole, which impede the passage of the bubble, the bubble of light heats these walls due to the radiation emitted by it. The walls heat the nearby layers of air. The density of air in these layers decreases. The surface of the bubble of light are in the area where the air density increases with increasing a distance from the walls. Different regions of the bubble of light surfaces occur in the area with different air densities. This leads to the deformation of the bubble of light in such a way that its surface moves away from those walls that prevent the bubble of light from passing through. As a result, the bubble of light is deformed so that its surface is removed from the walls of the hole. As soon as the walls of the bubble of light approach the walls of the hole, forces arise that tend to squeeze the surface of the bubble of light from the wall of the hole. Thus, ball lightning can penetrate into the room through openings with a relatively small cross section [17]. A similar mechanism allows a bubble of light to bypass obstacles. Approaching the obstacle, the bubble of light heats it due to the radiation emitted by it. The obstacle heats nearby air layers and their air density decreases. The closer to the obstacle, the smaller the air density. Moving in the direction of increasing air density, the bubble of light repels from the obstacle and thus does not collide with it [22, 24]. In the same way, another seemingly unimaginable phenomenon is explained as ball lightning can learn about a flying airplane, catch up with it and enter the saloon. A flying airplane creates a rather strong inhomogeneity of air. For example, the air pressure at the leading edge of the wing of an airliner increases by about 20%. This heterogeneity spreads around the airliner and moves with it. In this case, the closer to the airplane, the greater the air density. Getting into such a heterogeneity, a bubble of light moves in the direction of increasing air density, that is, in the direction of the airliner. Upon reaching the airliner, the light bubble is located in the area where the air density is maximum. It is known that the air pressure in the saloon is greater than outside at high altitude. If there is a hole between the saloon and the surrounding area, then the bubble of light, moving in the direction of increasing air density, penetrates into the saloon changing its shape as is explained above [21]. Now we can explain two situations that seem unthinkable for any conceivable objects. An object in the form of ball lightning can penetrate through window panes. It is known that no particles can penetrate through glass. What then does ball lightning consist of? The answer is simple. It consists of light and air. The light can penetrate glass. Glass is transparent for light and is used for penetration of light through it. Compressed air cannot penetrate the glass. But this is not required. The exactly similar air is on the other side of the glass, which is compressed by the
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light penetrating through the glass. The process of penetration of a bubble of light through glass is considered in detail in [1, 20]. Consider now another unthinkable situation where the object can move against a wind. Any object consisting of any particles should be blown by a wind like a smoke or clouds. As is known, a beam of light is not blown by wind. Moreover, the beam of light deflects in the side where the air density increases rather than in the direction of the wind. If a bubble of light moves relatively the air, it is subject to action of the Stokes force that brakes its motion. As a result, the air pressure on the front hemisphere is greater than that on the rear one. Then the optically force applied to the front hemisphere is greater than that to the rear one. This force is proportional to the energy stored in the bubble of light and can be greater than the Stokes force. Analysis of the motion of the bubble of light against the wind in presented in [26] in detail. It is easy to explain why ball lightning emits white light, like a hot body heated to several thousand degrees, but at the same time it does not seem hot. Indeed the bubble of light radiated white light circulating in its shell due to the phenomenon of molecular light scattering. There are no hot body and atoms exited at great temperature. The same explanation can be applied to the fact that a color of radiated light is not changed in time. Abrupt and traceless disappearance of the bubble of light can be explained by a single word “instability”. Like a soap bubble that becomes instable when thickness of its film becomes below a certain threshold, bubble of light becomes instable since the intensity of circulating light decreases gradually due to radiation of light. When the intensity of circulating light becomes smaller a certain threshold, the bubble of light becomes instable. In this case, the air pressure decreases that entails increase the radiation losses that entails a further decrease of the light intensity that entails a further decrease of the air pressure and so on. In this case the light radiates in all sides of surrounding space. The compressed air expands and no trace remains. Sometimes a disappearance of ball lightning is accompanied by a load sound. The speed of the light is greater than the speed of the sound by six orders of magnitude. In this case the time constant of the transient processes connected with light is smaller by the same times as compared with the transient processes connected with sound. As a result, the circulating light leaves the bubble of light faster than the compressed air expands. The expansion of the compressed air is heard as a shot from a pistol. This indicates that the volume of compressed air is small. It is noted that ball lightnings can leave odors of ozone, nitric oxide and sulfur after their disappearance. We have shown that an increase of the reflective index in the film where the intense light is circulating can be implemented not only by compression of the air but also by draw in the film gases, the reflective index of which exceeds the reflective index of air. The reflective index of the listed gases is greater than that of the air [7, 9]. There is a heterogeneity in a distribution of the air density in a room where the air temperature near a floor is smaller than that near a ceiling. In this case, the bubble of light moves to the floor, which can be considered as an obstacle. At a small distance between the bubble of light and the floor, it heats the floor due to the radiation of the bubble. The floor heats nearby air layers due to the phenomenon of heat conduction. As a result, the optically induced force directed upward arises. Since the mass of the bubble of light is different from zero, the bubble of light bounces off the floor and moves upward at decreasing speed. When the speed becomes zero, the bubble of light begins to move down and the process repeats. An analysis of the processes at the time when the bubble of light bounces off the floor is given in [23, 25].
Conclusion We have shown that almost all the known mysterious properties of natural ball lightning are easily explained under the assumption that ball lightning is a bubble of light that is subject to
5 the action of optically induced forces. These forces are extremely small at achievable light intensities and are usually neglected. However, the intensity of the circulating light in a bubble of light increases a billion times and these forces are superior in magnitude to other known types of forces. It is the action of these forces that determines all the anomalies and puzzles of natural ball lightning. Since the behavior of a light bubble based on the simple laws of optics is identical to the mysterious and intriguing behavior of natural ball lightning, we can conclude that the bubble of light is not a game of imagination, but a real object that exists in the nature. This is the first representative from the new world where circulating light plays a decisive role.
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Declaration of interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests
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