POLYMER BALL-LIGHTNING MODEL

A theoretical model of Ball lightning (BL) is presented. According to this model the BL is an aggregate of polymer molecules. These macromol ecules are interknitted or sewed together, and therefore the structure is a polymer net with the corresponding rheologic and fractal propert ies. Because of the dielectric properties such BL can accumulate and s tore large amounts of the electrostatic energy discharges of thunderst orms. The theory gives a reasonable agreement with observational value s of the formation time, stored energy and the life time. It also expl ains some rheological BL properties, form and the appearance from ''no where''.