A jelly model for a ball of an extremely hot plasma

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple model to analyze the stability of a high-temperature, dense plasma ball, which could help in understanding phenomena like ball lightning.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, simplified model for plasma ball stability considering electrostatic, ionic, and atmospheric forces, offering insights into ball lightning.

Findings

Plasma balls can be metastably stable under certain conditions.

Electrostatic and atmospheric forces contribute to plasma ball stability.

The model provides a framework for understanding ball lightning phenomena.

Abstract

A simple model is applied to study a high temperature rather dense plasma ball. It is assumed that the ions and delocalized electrons are distributed uniformly throughout the ball, and extra/missing charge is found in a thin layer on the surface of a ball. It is shown in the framework of this model that regarded plasma ball can be relatively stable as a metastable state. Calculations show that electrostatic forces, repulsive forces between the ions, and atmospheric pressure can provide stability of a plasma ball. Presented model could be useful to understand the nature of a ball lightning.