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1. Overcoming Gravity
Bearing in mind that Ball Lightning (BL) is a light bubble (LB) let us consider the behavior of
the LB in the air atmosphere. Motionless LB in a homogeneous atmosphere remains stationary.
Indeed, in this case there is a central symmetry in the system, and there is the chosen direction.
If the LB is an inhomogeneous environment in which the refractive index n depends on the
spatial coordinates, the situation changes. A light beam propagating in an inhomogeneous optical
medium is deflected in the direction of the gradient of the refractive index. Then we can
conclude that any closed beam circulating in the LB shell is deflected in the direction of the
gradient of the refractive index of the atmosphere in which it is located. In other words, LB
moves to where the air density is increasing.
BL is a sensitive instrument for determining the inhomogeneity of the air density (provided
that the composition of the air at all points of the space is the same). Indeed, if we imagine that
the light circulating in the LB shifts in one revolution by only 1 micrometer, then a shift is equal
to 1 km per one second. This is due to the very high velocity of light 3 108 m/s. For example, if
the LB circumferential length is equal to 30 cm, the light makes every second one billion
revolutions. Billion shifts of one micrometer give the shift of 1 km.
Existing theories cannot explain the simplest things. For what reasons BLs are moving in the
atmosphere as they move? For example, Turner [Turner, 1998] is puzzling that the BLs falling to
the ground from the clouds, often stop before hitting the earth's surface. Moreover, Sagan came
to the conclusion that the BL is not subject to gravity and presented the theory of Everything,
Defining the gravity because he cannot explain this fact in the framework of the existing physical
ideas,.
Our explanation for this phenomenon is quite simple and natural. LB is heavier than air
because compressed air in the shell is heavier than air at atmospheric pressure that that surrounds
the shell. LB fells to the ground like a normal child's balloon because the net force of the gravity
and Archimed force is directed toward the ground. However, there is another type of force that
have never been anywhere considered in the framework of the BL theory. This is optically
induced force. We spent a few years with the 2012 -2014 year to show that existing approaches
to the analysis and calculation of the optically induced forces are erroneous []. We have shown
that the Lorentz force approach that has been used for the last 40 years is incorrect because it
gives an incorrect result in the simplest case. []. Besides, we have presented a resolution to the
age-old problem known as the Abraham-Minkowski dilemma about a magnitude of the
momentum of light in matter. We have also shown that the propagation of a light pulse in matter
is accompanied by pressures arising in the regions where the leading and trailing edges of the
pulse are propagating. In this connection, it is not surprising that our optical theory of ball
lightning has not wined a generally accepted recognition yet. Further success in the recognition
is connected directly with a correct notion in the scientific community about the nature of
optically induced forces and their properties.
It is believed that optically induced forces are extremely small because significant efforts are
required for their experimental observation. It is valid for the conventional intensity of light. But
the intensity of light in the LB shell is increased by billion times. Indeed, the intensity is defined
as the energy that passes through a square of unit area per unit time. Since the same light crosses
the square within the shell billion times per second,the intensity within the shell is increased by
billion times as compared with the intensity of the same light propagating recliner that crosses
the square only one time. In this case the magnitude of the optically induced force is sufficient to
exert a decisive influence on the behavior of BL in the earth's atmosphere.
As was shown, the optically induced force that acts on an inhomogeneous optical medium on
the side of circulating light in BL shell is directed in the direction opposite to the gradient of the
refractive index of the medium. This means that there is a force in accordance with the third
Newton law that acts on the light on the side of the optical medium (outside air). The force is
directed along the gradient of the surrounding air. Since the circulating light can not leave the BL
shell, the force is applied to the LB shell. Similar situation takes place for the force applied to a
conductor with electrical current located in a magnetic field. In accordance with the Ampere law,
there is the force applied to the conductor. In reality, the force is applied to electrons moving
within the conductor. Since the electrons cannot leave the conductor and go out into free space,
the force is redistributed to the conductor. Thus, there is optically induced force in an
inhomogeneous air that is directed along the gradient of the air refractive index.
As the air pressure decreases with increasing altitude, its density also decreases and hence the
gradient of the refractive index is directed downwards. Since LB moves along the gradient of the
refractive index, LB falls down until the gradient of the refractive index is directed downwards.
But LB does not reach the earth's surface. The reason is that immediately at the earth’s surface
temperature is greater than that at the height about several meters. This is due to heating the
surface of the earth by solar radiation. As a result, there is a maximum of the air density at a
certain distance from the surface. At this altitude, LB stops its movement in the vertical
direction. The force of gravity acting on the LB is not essential since the optically induced forces
exceed the force of gravity.
Stopping the vertical movement, LB continues to move in the horizontal direction along the
gradient of the refractive index at height where the vertical component of the gradient of the
refractive index is equal to zero. That is why the observed BL is mainly moving at low height in
the horizontal direction.
We remind the reader that the fog lamps on vehicles as close as possible to the surface of the
earth. This is because the air at the surface has a maximum temperature and the mist at a
temperature not formed. Therefore, low located fog lamp shines the way to a greater distance.
The air refractive index decreases with increasing temperature and, therefore, there is a
maximum of the refractive index at a certain distance from the earth’ surface where LB is
moving. Thus, the intriguing behavior of BL, giving the appearance that the LB does not obey
the laws of gravity, is explained naturally if the optically induced forces are taken into
consideration.