15 Scientific Theories About Ball Lightning: The 8th Will Revolutionize Your Understanding

3. The Chemical Combustion Theory

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According to the idea of chemical combustion, slow-burning chemical reactions taking place in the atmosphere produce ball Lightning. This theory holds that complex chemical compounds in the air can be produced by lightning strikes or other high-energy events, which subsequently undergo continuous combustion and give the air a glowing hue. Advocates of this idea contend that since the phenomena would last until the fuel runs out, it explains the different frequency of ball lightning episodes. According to the notion, the various colors and behaviors seen in ball lightning may be explained by the chemical makeup of the burning substance. For example, the presence of organic compounds or metal particles in the air could affect the hue and intensity of the produced light. Proponents of this idea cite laboratory tests showing glowing balls generated by chemical reactions as proof of their feasibility. Usually using the combustion of silicon-based compounds or other materials capable of building complex, gradually burning structures, these tests Critics counter that it's difficult to see how such chemical reactions might start and be maintained in the open atmosphere, particularly in view of wind and rain. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the chemical combustion idea is still under investigation with scientists looking at possible chemical routes leading to ball lightning-like events. Particularly in the research of new combustion techniques and the synthesis of long-lasting luminous materials, this field of study has also produced fascinating advances in materials science.