A physical model of nuclear lightning

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Abstract
A model is presented which is consistent with the observed features of nuclear lightning. The problem is divided into two parts. First, an electrostatic problem is solved, modeling the lightning channel as a perfectly conducting rod, to determine the focusing of fields and currents near the tip of the discharge. Second, a detailed self‐consistent model of the air chemistry, heating rates, and current flow patterns is presented. From the second model the growth rate of the tip is shown to be between 0.8×105 and 1.5×105 m/sec consistent with photographic evidence, and the tip remains sharp, as observed, rather than becoming bulbous and dissipating.

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