Does ball lightning fly into the window. How to protect yourself from lightning: advice from rescuers
Experts from the Tyumen Regional Emergency Response Service talk about how to behave during a thunderstorm.
The most dangerous area during a thunderstorm is the countryside: 90% of all lightning-related accidents occur here. Often, free-standing objects become victims of lightning. Hence the first rule - never hide from lightning under a lonely tree or under tall metal structures. Remember, lightning never hits a bush, it’s better to hide under it. If you are in a rural area, close windows, doors, chimneys and vents. Do not light the stove because the high temperature gases coming out of the stove pipe have low resistance. Don't talk on the phone: lightning sometimes strikes wires stretched between poles.
During lightning strikes, do not come close to electrical wiring, lightning rods, roof gutters, antennas, do not stand near a window, and if possible, turn off the TV, radio and other electrical appliances.
Water and the banks of reservoirs are also a risk zone. If you are swimming, immediately return to the shore; if you are fishing in a boat, reel in your fishing rods: “heavenly electricity” hits not the water, but the objects rising above its surface. Do not be in a body of water or on its shore. Move away from the shore, go down from a high place to a low place. If you are on a yacht or sailboat, sail to the nearest shore. During a thunderstorm, it is recommended to stay as far away from the water as possible. A lightning strike into water affects everything within a 100 meter radius.
Do not pitch your tent on the open bank of a body of water to avoid becoming a target for lightning. And the safest place is dry plains, hollows between hills.
A few observations:
- the wind will not give you an idea of where the thunderstorm is moving; thunderstorms, contrary to all logic, often go against the wind;
- the distance from a thunderstorm to your location can be determined by the time between a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder (1 second - a distance of 300-400 meters, 2 seconds - 600-800 meters, 3 seconds - 1000 m);
- before the start of a thunderstorm, there is usually either a lack of wind or the wind changes direction.
Having determined that a thunderstorm is moving towards you, see how safe your position is:
Wet clothing and body increase the risk of lightning strikes;
Your camp located on convex landforms has a greater chance of being targeted than a camp located in the lowlands;
Look for shelter in the forest among low trees, in the mountains - 3-8 meters from a high “finger”, in open areas - in a dry hole, ditch;
Sandy and rocky soil is safer than clay soil;
Signs of increased danger: moving hair, buzzing metal objects, discharges from sharp ends of equipment.
Forbidden:
Take shelter near lonely trees;
Lean against rocks and steep walls;
Stop at the edge of the forest;
Stop near bodies of water;
Hide under a rocky overhang;
Run and fuss;
Move in a tight group;
Wear wet clothes;
Be near the fire;
Store metal objects in the tent;
Use electrical appliances in the house.
If during a thunderstorm you see orange reflections on the walls of your room, and it seems to you that there is a fire outside the window, do not believe this “seems”. Slam the window immediately (if it’s not too late) - ball lightning is asking to visit you. Ball lightning is a ball with a diameter of 10 to 35 centimeters (although there are also kilometer-sized specimens). It often has a yellow color (other colors are not excluded: even if something in front of you has the color of a fly agaric, no one guarantees that it is not ball lightning), its temperature is from 100 to 1000 degrees, and its weight is 5-7 grams (even for a kilometer ).
Ball lightning simply loves to penetrate houses. Objects and obstacles on the way do not frighten her at all; scientists do not yet know whether glass is a reliable protection against ball lightning. It can penetrate various cracks (sockets, intercoms, etc.), but most likely it will not fly out of them. The lifespan of this phenomenon is also unknown to science (maybe from 30 seconds to several days). The death of ball lightning is accompanied by an explosion, disintegration into several parts, or gradual extinction.
Behavioral tactics when encountering ball lightning:
If there is ball lightning in the room, do not grab iron objects (just in case);
Don't try to run away from it;
Don't try to drive her out with a broom, book, etc.;
Stand still, remain calm (nothing bad should happen);
If there is a door nearby, and ball lightning is at a decent distance from you, take cover behind the door.
Where to hide from lightning.
1. How to behave outdoors?
Avoid trees, fences and metal barriers. If you are in the forest, then take cover in a low-growing area of the forest. Avoid shelter near tall trees, especially pine, oak and poplar trees. And do not lie on the ground, exposing your entire body to electric current. Squat down with your hands clasped around your shins. All objects containing metal parts (including jewelry) must be kept at a distance of at least five meters. If you are swimming, you must get out of the water immediately.
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Where does ball lightning come from and how to predict its appearance? How long does she live and what secret dangers can she pose to humans? Is it true that she has a mind of her own? To understand this complex natural phenomenon, little knowledge of physics is needed. Perhaps there is something more hidden here?
What is ball lightning?
It is generally accepted that ball lightning is an extremely rare natural phenomenon, which is an electrical body in the shape of a ball, capable of moving through the air along a completely unpredictable trajectory and covering enormous distances.
The size of this ball can vary from a few centimeters in diameter to the size of a soccer ball. She doesn’t “live” for long, at most two minutes, but even during this time she manages to do many incomprehensible and inexplicable things that defy logical analysis.
Most often, ball lightning is born during a thunderstorm, when the air is filled with electrical particles. By connecting with each other, positively and negatively charged elements create a luminous electric ball. It can be not only white, but also red, yellow, and in rare cases even black.
Eyewitnesses say that lightning can occur in absolutely clear weather, and the time and place of its appearance cannot be predicted. She can easily fly into an apartment through an open window, fireplace, socket, fan, and even landline telephone.
Lightning strike
An encounter with such an electric ball does not bode well. And if a lightning strike from the sky can be prevented with the help of a lightning rod, then there is no escape from ball lightning. It can pass through solid bodies - walls, stones, and when flying it makes strange sounds - buzzing, hissing. Her actions cannot be predicted, she cannot be escaped, and sometimes she behaves so strangely that some scientists consider her to be an intelligent creature.
Observing this phenomenon from the outside is quite safe, but there have been cases when lightning pursued specific people throughout their lives. Most famous case is the story of British Major Summerford, who was struck by lightning three times in his entire life. This caused serious damage to his health. But even after death, evil fate did not leave him alone - a lightning strike in the cemetery completely destroyed the gravestone of the unfortunate major.
Hence the thought arises - isn’t lightning a punishment from above for some bad deeds? History knows of cases when lightning struck notorious sinners who could not be punished by ordinary, earthly justice. It’s not for nothing that in Rus' there is a phrase: “May you be struck by thunder!” – sounded like the worst curse.
In many ancient cultures, lightning and thunder were considered heavenly signs and expressions of divine wrath, sent to intimidate or punish offenders. Ball lightning was called nothing more than “the coming of the devil” or “hellfire.” But do they always cause harm?
There are many cases in history when an encounter with ball lightning brought good luck and even healing from illness. A person who survives a lightning strike is considered righteous, “marked by God,” and promised heaven after death. Often people who experienced such an event discovered new abilities and talents that were not there before.
Consequences of a lightning strike
A lightning strike is dangerous primarily for aircraft, as it can disrupt radio communications, the operation of equipment and lead to an accident. Lightning striking a tree or building leads to fires and severe destruction. If a person gets in her way, the consequences are most often tragic - severe burns or death.
A person who survives a lightning strike is considered lucky. But this is a very dubious happiness - the consequences of a burn from ball lightning for the body will be sad. It happened that after such “luck” people lost their memory, speech, hearing and vision. The nervous system is particularly affected by electric current.
Ball lightning behaves completely differently. Even a lightning rod will not save you from its appearance. It acts selectively: out of several people standing nearby, it can cause severe harm and even kill one, but not another. It can melt coins in a wallet without damaging paper money.
Passing through the human body, ball lightning may not leave marks on the skin, but burn all the insides. Contact with it leaves intricate patterns on the human body - from digital symbols to landscapes of the area where the fatal “meeting” took place.
It is this strange behavior of a glowing electric ball that causes suspicion and speculation among some scientists - what if it is intelligent life? It acts too unpredictably, and often after its appearance, the famous crop circles appeared in open areas. But there is no direct evidence for such hypotheses yet.
How to behave when encountering ball lightning
If you follow safety precautions, then most likely you will not face such a meeting. However, there are general recommendations that we advise you to listen to, even if you consider yourself a lucky person.
1. During a thunderstorm, close windows, doors, stove openings and other outlets into which electrical discharge may penetrate. The ideal option would be to turn off the electricity.
2. If you see flying ball lightning, do not wave your hands at it or try to film it - there is a high probability that the lightning will be attracted to the metal object in your hands.
3. If lightning appears near you, never try to run away from it! Since ball lightning is lighter than air, the movement from it will create an air vortex that will cause the lightning to follow you. The best thing to do is to freeze in place and wait for what will happen.
4.Don’t even think about throwing anything at ball lightning! This can cause it to explode, and the consequences are difficult to even predict.
5. During a thunderstorm, do not hide under trees or stay inside your car.
6. According to estimates, 86% of people struck by lightning are men. Therefore, if you have excess testosterone in your body, be doubly careful during a thunderstorm.
7. If you are wearing wet clothes, your chances of being struck by lightning increase. Electrical discharges are always attracted to water and moisture.
A person injured by a lightning strike must be moved to a warm room, wrapped in a blanket, given artificial respiration if necessary, and taken to the hospital as soon as possible.
The facts collected here are given more for a general idea of the nature of ball lightning than for practical application, and are unlikely to ever be useful to you real life. After all, the chance of seeing such a phenomenon is extremely small. According to statistics, the probability of a person encountering ball lightning is 1 in 600,000.
Ball lightning is a rare and rather poorly studied phenomenon, but no less dangerous. The first mentions of it date back to the 2nd century BC, when chronicles told about mysterious phenomena that took place in Rome. Similar precedents also occurred in the Middle Ages. IN modern world The study of the nature of the occurrence of ball lightning began in the 19th century, when D. Arago described this phenomenon. Since then, there has been a lot of research, but humanity still cannot unravel its secret, and that is why it is so afraid. We will try to figure out why ball lightning is dangerous, as well as how to protect yourself from it.
Specifics of the impact of ball lightning
This phenomenon is usually striking in its brightness. In this case, the color of the lightning can be very different:
- dazzling white;
- blue-blue;
- black;
But the most common shades are:
- orange;
- red;
- yellow.
Ball lightning can appear both in good weather, for example, on a sunny July morning, and during a thunderstorm. Science does not fully know the exact nature of its occurrence, because it can manifest itself both in open space: inside clouds, in the air, above the ground; and in enclosed spaces, including residential buildings, through a socket or glass window. The real temperature of ball lightning is also unknown to scientists. According to their forecasts, it can fluctuate greatly: some experts believe that it is equal to 1000°C, while others think that it is a little over 100°C. Lightning can suddenly change its direction while moving. There are cases of ball lightning appearing simultaneously with ordinary linear lightning. This relationship has not yet been precisely described, but this fact exists. This variability explains the difficulties in studying ball lightning. Many experts believed that such a phenomenon did not exist at all, and that it was simply some kind of optical illusion.
People who have encountered this effect say (and scientists echo them) that the phenomenon can be divided into 2 types:
- A red object descends from the sky. When it collides with anything it explodes.
- It moves parallel to the earth's surface, the source of attraction for it is power plants, transmission lines and even household appliances.
Ordinary people may be unreliable, but they are the most informed source, so scientists often turn to them when studying this issue. Many people indicate that it “hisses”, and the duration of its glow ranges from a fraction of a second to half a minute. It is still a big mystery for scientists how ball lightning is formed, because we can only observe it at the final stage of its existence. Also of particular interest is its shape. That is why a number of hypotheses have been put forward regarding this phenomenon.
Where does ball lightning come from?
It is extremely difficult for scientists to describe the nature of its occurrence, since it is very difficult to capture it. It is not easy to take a photo of ball lightning, because this phenomenon sometimes lasts a fraction of a second. Some witnesses claim to have seen a long glow. Sometimes it just quietly disappears, but there are times when it explodes and you can get a real ball lightning strike.
Many important points need explanation:
- Conditions of creation. After all, there is evidence indicating that she appeared not only during a thunderstorm, but also on an ordinary sunny day.
- Structure of matter. Ball lightning can pass through glass, walls, openings and at the same time restore its original shape.
- The nature of radiation. Is energy taken only from the surface or from the entire volume of the ball?
D. Arago, who was one of the first to become seriously interested in this issue, believed that this phenomenon occurs due to the interaction of nitrogen and oxygen with the release of energy. This hypothesis was developed by another scientist - Ya. Frenkel. He argued that the ball contained active gases formed as a result of this reaction. Based on this, we can say that the energy is located inside the object.
Physicist P. Kapitsa did not agree with this assumption. He believed that the reason for everything was additional energy in the form of radio waves resulting from electromagnetic oscillations between clouds and the ground during a thunderstorm. It accumulates and at some point begins to interact with a natural phenomenon. But this theory is also imperfect, because does not explain the appearance of ball lightning on sunny days.
Thanks to observations from the ground and air, the dimensions of existing spark charges are now well known. Their size ranges from 1 cm to 1 m or more. Most often, people have to deal with lightning with a diameter of 10-20 cm.
M. Yuman tried to repeat this process in the laboratory, but his experiment failed. In order to find out the speed of ball lightning, its structure and features, it is necessary to regularly conduct experiments. However, since all of them are very complex and costly, their implementation in practice is constantly postponed.
How to escape from ball lightning
Ball lightning poses a great danger to humans. As a result of contact with it, at best you will get a serious burn, and most often fatal incidents occur. The most important thing is not to jerk sharply and panic. If you don’t know what to do if there’s ball lightning nearby, then the simplest advice is don’t run. She is very susceptible to various air vibrations, so she will immediately follow you, and her speed is much higher.
It is necessary to try to move away from the path along which the object is moving, while it is strictly forbidden to turn your back to it. If possible, stay away from all your gadgets, and also avoid contact with synthetic materials, as they are very electrified. If you are wearing such clothes, then it is better to just freeze and stay in place. Then there is a chance that the threat will simply pass by. If this could not be avoided, and the victim has burns, then you need to send him to a ventilated room, and then wrap him warmly. It is necessary to try to help the victim by performing artificial respiration, if necessary. This will help stabilize his condition a little. However, the first thing you need to do is immediately contact Ambulance. Now you know what to do when encountering ball lightning.
It doesn’t matter whether you encounter a phenomenon on the street or in an apartment, do not try to disturb its structure in any way (for example, by throwing something inside). By doing this, you can only harm yourself, since the likelihood of an explosion increases significantly. How to escape from ball lightning in the house?
Immediately warn your loved ones or colleagues (if you are at work) about the existing threat. Also try to prevent panic. It is necessary to approach the window as carefully as possible and open the window. There is a high probability that the ball will simply come out. In this case, you need to be as collected as possible, not hesitate, but also avoid sudden movements.
Ball lightning not only easily passes through walls, but can also completely destroy even a strong building. In order to prevent this, it is better to make sure that your home is safe in advance. We recommend that you read the article “Protecting your home from direct lightning strikes. Lightning protection: lightning rod, lightning rod, grounding device.” It presents all the current security methods.
Places where ball lightning occurs
It is simply impossible to predict any specific location where it will appear, so no one is protected from such a threat. There have been cases when repeated occurrence of this effect was recorded in one area. Ball lightning in a city near Pskov was noticed several times during the year. But at the same time, the nature of its occurrence remained unknown. Scientists even tried to calculate it, but destructive force was so great that all the instruments became unusable. There is a chronicle from other places confirming the danger of this phenomenon, for example, INCREDIBLE footage of ball lightning (5 videos):
The consequences can be dire. You already know what ball lightning looks like, so you can imagine the extent of its destructive effect. At best, there will be long-term treatment. It all depends on the degree of burns received and the strength of the discharge. Hearing and vision are seriously damaged. As mentioned earlier, the flash can be blindingly bright.
Naturally, this also negatively affects the heart and muscle systems. The main rule in such cases is to provide quick and qualified assistance. This is what will help save the victim not only life, but also good physical condition. Photos of eyewitnesses of ball lightning are amazing.
At the same time, history knows interesting cases when, after contact with such an object, people discovered unusual abilities in themselves, their illnesses disappeared. But these are exceptions and miracles, but in reality, if ball lightning hits a person, then he is in danger of great trouble. The likelihood of receiving a dangerous electrical discharge remains not only while thunder is roaring, but also after. There is a video called “Ball Lightning - Unique Videos of Eyewitnesses,” in which people are amazed by the phenomenon, not being afraid to film what is happening. In this case, the usual radius is on average 10 km.
Ball lightning, the voltage of which is much higher than ordinary lightning, can permanently cripple life. Therefore, it is worth thinking about your safety right now. Products and services from the Alef-Em company will help you with this, where real professionals work who will take care of you. You need to think about ways to improve the protection of your apartment and not be afraid to face danger.
How to protect yourself from ball lightning using the services we provide
Lightning rods from "Alef-Em" are reliable protection in emergency situations. All you need to do is go to our website and select the products you need to protect yourself. Our sales consultants, who have extensive experience, will help you with this. You can talk to them on various topics related to the safety of your home both during a thunderstorm and when ball lightning occurs.
You already know how to behave if ball lightning has flown into your house. But by using our services, you will be able to minimize, or even avoid, this probability. The charges will be directed into the ground; such lightning rods have already been tested many times. The main evidence of their quality is not certificates at all, but grateful customer reviews.
Ball lightning can easily fly into a window, but this is excluded thanks to our systems. They consist of the following parts:
- metal base;
- a device located on the roof of a building;
- cable acting as a connector.
It is not enough to know how to behave in the event of ball lightning; you must always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Reliable lightning protection from Alef-Em will help you avoid troubles from this natural phenomenon.
Having been working for about ten years, we managed to become real leaders in this market segment. We guarantee results that will last you for many years. The methods of our work can be found in the article “Traditional lightning protection of buildings: lightning rod (lightning rod).”
Prices at Alef-Em are much lower than those of competitors, there is a flexible system of discounts and an individual approach to each client, which will allow you to save significantly.
We work only with reliable materials, because the safety of our customers comes first.
Our website contains a lot of useful materials, where you can read articles about ball lightning. Everyone risks meeting it, but it is important to be prepared and remain just an eyewitness. By watching a video about ball lightning, you can see how dangerous it is. Contact our company, where you are always welcome. Qualified employees will provide assistance and quickly make the apartment much safer. They will show a video about ball lightning in the house, point out the main mistakes and tell you how to behave correctly in an emergency situation.
The company strives to become not just partners with its clients, but also true friends. Come to us and we will do high-quality work in the shortest possible time.
A rare person can be left indifferent by the sound of thunder and flashes of lightning. The real danger posed by the formidable elements has always excited the imagination. Our distant ancestor awaited with horror the outcome of what was happening in the roaring and blazing sky, guessing the nature of the divine in the elements. But even today, at a time of triumph of science and technology, not everything is clear in the nature of the formation and manifestation of lightning.
Attracting lightning
In the old days, a person struck by lightning was buried in the ground. And thus often saved his life. Even today, sometimes they do the same to the victim, realizing that in this way the electrical discharge can be removed from the unfortunate person.
But lightning may well cause many people a feeling of confusion, powerlessness, and a sense of mystery of what is happening. They talk about such a case. It was in Japan. A group of schoolchildren, while in the mountains, were caught in a thunderstorm. In order not to get lost in bad weather, the teacher forced the children to tie themselves together with a rope the way climbers do. And what? The line of guys was struck by lightning, and every third person in the line was killed. Of course, wet rope is an excellent conductor of atmospheric electricity. But why exactly every third person died? Scientists are still at a loss.
It is known that objects protruding upward attract lightning, so in the countryside it strikes crosses and domes of temples and churches, in cities - in skyscrapers and television towers, in open spaces - in isolated tall trees, under which you should never hide under in a thunderstorm. It has been noticed that in open areas, lightning most often strikes where there are accumulations of water or pipelines or ores.
Experiments conducted with mannequins with metal objects hanging on them showed that lightning passes through metal objects without hitting the mannequin. But will it be the same if the mannequin is replaced by a human? Unlike a doll, a person has the properties of an electric magnet, and therefore, by definition, is “not indifferent” to lightning.
It is known that the sorcerers of America have the art of causing lightning. It's done like this. In bad weather, the men of the tribe, at the sign of the sorcerer, gather in a strictly defined place in a large circle and begin an intricate dance with spears. The ritual dance continues until lightning strikes the center of the circle. But there is a hidden cunning in the sorcerer’s power demonstrated to the public. The tribe chooses a place rich in underground water to summon lightning. A place where lightning is sure to strike.
Lightning “loves” not only certain places, but also certain people. Faith magazine told the story of Major Summerford, who suffered from the elements in Flanders in 1918. A lightning strike threw him off his horse and paralyzed his lower body. Disabled from the army, the major went to Vancouver and in 1924 suffered another lightning attack, which paralyzed the right side of his body. Two years passed, the major recovered from the second lightning strike and even began to walk in the park. But in the summer of 1930 he was found again by a “fiery arrow”. This time my entire body was paralyzed. He died two years later. But two years after the death of the major, namely in June 1934, lightning struck the Vancouver cemetery, and its strike struck exactly the tombstone of the unfortunate man, breaking it to smithereens.
In 1950, Faith magazine told the following story. In 1899, a man was killed by lightning in the courtyard of a house in Toronto (Italy). Exactly 30 years later, his son died from a lightning strike. And on October 8, 1949, the “mysterious and terrible” strikes the grandson of the first and the son of the second unfortunate. And what’s remarkable is that lightning killed them in the same place.
Myths and facts
Although statistics tell us that death from a lightning strike is extremely rare, this danger should not be underestimated. Judging by weather forecasters, the abnormal heat may give way to showers and thunderstorms. Perhaps this is exactly the scenario awaiting our region. We offer to replenish the treasury of knowledge with useful and interesting facts about lightning. Let's consider how true some myths about lightning are.
Myth 1: Tornadoes and hurricanes are more dangerous than lightning.
Fact: Lightning kills more people every year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Floods alone kill many more people than lightning.
Myth 2: Even at home you can be struck by lightning.
Fact: The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is probably inside your home, but that doesn't mean you don't need to take precautions.
If a building is struck by lightning, the electrical current will likely travel through the plumbing or wiring before going into the ground. Therefore, during lightning, do not talk on a wired phone, stay away from running water (do not shower, do not wash dishes and hands). Do not use a stove, computer or other appliances connected to an electrical outlet.
Myth 3: Lightning always brings down planes.
Fact: In reality, lightning regularly strikes airplanes, but rarely causes them to crash. On average, every plane is struck by lightning at least once a year. Most airplanes are made of aluminum, which is a good conductor of electricity, so airplanes have strict safety regulations.
Myth 4: You should turn off electronic devices during a thunderstorm.
Fact: Surges can damage electronics even if lightning doesn't strike your home. If you are unsure of the reliability of the surge protector, turn off your computer, TV, and other electronics. If you unplug appliances during a thunderstorm, there is a chance that you will be shocked, so this should be done before the storm begins.
Myth 5: It is dangerous to be in a car during a thunderstorm.
Fact: Cars are actually one of the safest places to be during a thunderstorm if you are unable to enter a building. Just make sure your car has a secure and strong roof.
Myth 6: Lightning does not strike the same place twice.
Fact: Lightning can strike the same location multiple times during a thunderstorm.
Myth 7: It’s not safe to be outside during a thunderstorm.
Fact: If you find yourself outside during a thunderstorm, try to find shelter in a grounded building or car. If this is not possible, the following tips can help minimize the risk: Avoid open spaces and tall objects (such as trees) standing alone. Stay away from water - it conducts electricity well. Do not lie on the ground - this will increase the contact area, because if lightning strikes the ground not far from you, the smaller the contact area, the less current will flow into you.
Myth 8: You need to stay home for another half hour after the storm ends.
Fact: In most cases, lightning does not strike people in the midst of a thunderstorm. According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), lightning can strike as far as 15 km from where it is raining, so if you hear thunder, you are in a lightning strike zone. The NMS advises to adhere to the following advice: “If you hear thunder, wait it out at home. It will be safe to leave the house half an hour after the thunder rumbled for the last time.”
Myth 9: You can determine the distance to a thunderstorm by counting how many seconds pass from the flash of light to the thunder.
Fact: Surprisingly, this kids' trick actually works. Light travels faster than sound, so first we see a flash of light, and then a clap of thunder. To determine the distance to a thunderstorm, you need to know the speed of sound: it moves at a speed of 1 km in three seconds.
Interesting
A typical lightning flash lasts about a quarter of a second and consists of 3-4 flashes.
There are 6,000 lightning flashes in the world every minute.
The temperature of lightning can reach more than 27 thousand degrees Celsius. This is several times hotter than the surface of the Sun!
The probability of seeing ball lightning at least once in your life is 1 in 10,000.
By striking sandy soil, lightning promotes the formation of glass. After a thunderstorm, you can find strips of glass in the sand.
Lightning is also observed on Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus.
The chance of being killed by lightning is 1 in 2,000,000. Each of us has the same chances of dying from falling out of bed.
The Greeks believed that pearls were formed when lightning struck the sea.
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Initially, a discharge is heard - a crack - like a shocker, only much louder - but this is only a fraction of a second, and that is heard by those near the site of the lightning strike: from flash to thunder in less than a second. I heard this crackling sound 3 times, in different years and in the same place, an open place - the bank of the Volga - I’ll tell you the sensations.... One of the unexamined reasons is the presence of highly charged air currents: various “miracles” with lightning striking objects, into which lightning, according to the laws of physics, it would seem should not strike, are quite often associated precisely with the increased electrification of air flows, which, as is known, have the lowest electrical resistance. Moreover, the thickness of these flows can be only half a meter (!!!)
And here in Yaposhka there are earthquakes. They are no better than a thunderstorm
I got a lightning bomb like I don’t know where!(
One of the most amazing and dangerous natural phenomena is ball lightning. How to behave and what to do when meeting her, you will learn from this article.
What is ball lightning
Surprisingly modern science finds it difficult to answer this question. Unfortunately, no one has been able to analyze this yet a natural phenomenon using precision scientific instruments. All attempts by scientists to recreate it in the laboratory also failed. Despite a lot of historical data and eyewitness accounts, some researchers completely deny the very existence of this phenomenon.
Those lucky enough to survive an encounter with an electric ball give conflicting testimony. They claim to have seen a sphere 10 to 20 cm in diameter, but describe it differently. According to one version, ball lightning is almost transparent, and you can even see the contours of surrounding objects through it. According to another, its color varies from white to red. Someone says that they felt the heat coming from the lightning. Others did not notice any warmth from her, even when in close proximity.
Chinese scientists were lucky to record ball lightning using spectrometers. Although this moment lasted one and a half seconds, the researchers were able to conclude that it differed from ordinary lightning.
Where does ball lightning appear?
How to behave when meeting her, because a fireball can appear anywhere. The circumstances of its formation vary greatly and it is difficult to find a definite pattern. Most people think that lightning can only be encountered during or after a thunderstorm. However, there is a lot of evidence that it appeared in dry, cloudless weather. It is also impossible to predict the location where the electric ball may form. There have been cases when it arose from a voltage network, a tree trunk, and even from the wall of a residential building. Eyewitnesses saw lightning appear on its own, encountered it in open areas and indoors. Also in the literature, cases are described when ball lightning occurred after an ordinary strike.
How to behave
If you are “lucky enough” to encounter a fireball in an open area, you must adhere to the basic rules of behavior in this extreme situation.
- Try to slowly move away from the dangerous place to a considerable distance. Don't turn your back on lightning or try to run away from it.
- If she is close and moving towards you, freeze, extend your arms forward and hold your breath. After a few seconds or minutes, the ball will go around you and disappear.
- Never throw any objects at it, as lightning will explode if it hits anything.
Ball lightning: how to escape if it appears in the house?
This plot is the most scary, as an unprepared person can panic and make a fatal mistake. Remember that the electric sphere reacts to any air movement. Therefore, the most universal advice is to remain still and calm. What else can you do if ball lightning has flown into your apartment?
- What to do if it ends up near your face? Blow on the ball and it will fly away.
- Do not touch iron objects.
- Freeze, do not make sudden movements and do not try to escape.
- If there is an entrance to an adjacent room nearby, then try to take refuge in it. But don't turn your back on the lightning and try to move as slowly as possible.
- Do not try to drive it away with any object, otherwise you risk causing a large explosion. In this case, you face such serious consequences as cardiac arrest, burns, injuries and loss of consciousness.
How to help the victim
Remember that lightning can cause very serious injury or even death. If you see that a person is wounded by her blow, then urgently take action - move him to another place and do not be afraid, since there will be no charge left in his body. Put him on the floor, wrap him up and call an ambulance. In case of cardiac arrest, give him artificial respiration until doctors arrive. If the person is not seriously injured, put it on his head wet towel, give two analgin tablets and soothing drops.
How to protect yourself
How to protect yourself from ball lightning? The first step is to take steps to keep you safe during a normal thunderstorm. Remember that in most cases people suffer from electric shock while outdoors or in rural areas.
- How to escape from ball lightning in the forest? Don't hide under lonely trees. Try to find a low grove or underbrush. Remember that lightning rarely strikes coniferous trees and birch.
- Do not hold metal objects (forks, shovels, guns, fishing rods and umbrellas) above your head.
- Don't hide in a haystack or lie down on the ground - it's better to squat down.
- If a thunderstorm catches you in your car, stop and do not touch metal objects. Remember to lower your antenna and drive away from tall trees. Pull to the side of the road and avoid entering a gas station.
- Remember that quite often a thunderstorm goes against the wind. Ball lightning moves in exactly the same way.
- How to behave in the house and should you worry if you are under a roof? Unfortunately, a lightning rod and other devices are not able to help you.
- If you are in the steppe, then squat down, try not to rise above the surrounding objects. You can take shelter in a ditch, but leave it as soon as it begins to fill with water.
- If you are sailing in a boat, do not stand up under any circumstances. Try to get to the shore as quickly as possible and move away from the water to a safe distance.
- Remove your jewelry and set it aside.
- Turn off your cell phone. If it works, ball lightning may be attracted to the signal.
- How to escape from a thunderstorm if you are at the dacha? Close the windows and chimney. It is not yet known whether glass is a barrier to lightning. However, it has been noticed that it easily seeps into any cracks, sockets or electrical appliances.
- If you are at home, close the windows and turn off electrical appliances, and do not touch anything metal. Try to stay away from electrical outlets. Do not make phone calls and turn off all external antennas.