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Volume 17: Number 3: Article 3
The Missing Science of Ball Lightning
David J. Turner, Condensation Physics, 3435 Plum Point Road, Huntingtown,
MD 20639
One of the main problems in understanding ball lightning is that its
properties, taken together, seem to be inconsistent with the laws of
physics. This long-standing problem is completely eliminated once it
is accepted taht a plasma is both a phenomenon of physics and a mixture
of chemicals. The processes occurring in the coolest regions surrounding
a wet air-plasma will depend greatly on the temperature and on trace
contaminants present in the air. This may explain why ball lightning
usually forms unexpectedly and unreproducibly. Under appropriate chemical
and physical conditions, a number of unusual nitrogen-oxidation reactions
become possible. Phenomena result which are thermodynamically inevitable
but, at first sight, totally unexpected. There can explain qualitatively
all the seemingly impossible behaviour. To get much further, we need
to be able to achieve, in the laboratory, conditions that will start
the vital processes. We do not know how to do this and it is suggested
that the reasons for our ignorance are complex and important. Considerable
technological benefits might well be reaped from an ability to make
ball lightning. The basic problems cast doubt on the mathematical modelling
of any rate process involving the simultaneous presence of ions and
saturated water vapour. If these problems were solved, light might well
be thrown on other poorly understood phenomena as well, ranging all
the way from star formation to the destructive power of some tornadoes
and the existence of phenomena often classed as paranormal.
Keywords: missing physical chemistry, thermodynamics, reaction rates,
vapour phase electrochemistry, ball lightning, UFOs, Spontaneous Human
Combustion, tornadoes, star formation
FULL TEXT:
The Missing Science of Ball Lightning
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