Help evaluate the ball lightning energy

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on evaluating the energy required to vaporize a volume of glass affected by ball lightning, specifically a 3mm thick window glass with a 10cm diameter hole created after a 30-second discharge in 1976 in Frijazino, near Moscow. Participants calculated the volume of glass removed and estimated the energy needed for vaporization, considering a scenario where the glass was 50% molten and 50% vapor. This analysis provides insights into the energy dynamics of ball lightning events and their physical effects on materials.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly energy calculations.
  • Familiarity with the properties of glass, including its vaporization energy.
  • Knowledge of volume calculations for cylindrical shapes.
  • Basic thermodynamics concepts related to phase changes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specific vaporization energy of common glass materials.
  • Learn how to calculate the volume of cylindrical objects accurately.
  • Explore the thermodynamic properties of glass during phase transitions.
  • Investigate historical cases of ball lightning and their documented effects on materials.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, materials scientists, and anyone interested in the phenomena of ball lightning and its impact on physical materials.

Minich
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Input data:

window glass thickness: 3mm
ball lightning diameter: 10cm
discharge duration 30 seconds

After the discharge there was 7cm round hole in the window glass (after freezing to atmosfere temperature).

It was a real case in 1976 year in Frijazino city, near Moscow during school lesson.
 
Last edited:
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a rough estimate would be to calculate the energy needed to vaporize the said volume of commen glass.

Calculate the volume, then find the vaporisation energy required for the glass.

In reality, I'm sure it was not purely vaporised, but a mixture of molten glass and glass vapor. In this case reproduce the said calculation with 50% liquid and 50% vapor.

A rough estimate but will give you an idea.
 

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