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

6. The Electromagnetic Knot Theory

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According to the electromagnetic knot theory, ball lightning is a self-sustaining electromagnetic occurrence brought about by the construction of intricate, knotted patterns of electromagnetic fields. According to this view, electromagnetic field lines can get twisted and knotted in a manner that produces a stable, confined structure during a lightning strike or other high-energy atmospheric event. The hypothesis holds that these electromagnetic knots can trap and ionize air molecules to produce an obvious, blazing sphere. Advocates contend that since topological restrictions keep the knots from readily breaking, this model clarifies the stability and lifetime of ball lightning. The idea also explains why the ball lightning can travel in apparently random patterns: the knotted structure interacts with ambient electromagnetic fields. Moreover, it provides a justification for the sporadic claims of ball lightning moving through conductive materials since the electromagnetic knot can possibly generate currents in these materials without dissipating. Critics of this idea draw attention to the challenge in understanding how such complicated field configurations may develop naturally in the atmosphere. Supporters point to recent developments in plasma physics and magnetohydrodynamics, though, that show stable, knotted plasma structures might be created in laboratory settings. Along with helping ball lightning research, the electromagnetic knot theory has motivated fresh directions in the study of topological electromagnetism with possible uses in everything from the design of new antennas and electromagnetic devices to fusion energy containment.