Modeling the change in electric potential due to lightning in a sphere

Abstract

The change in electric potential as a result of lightning in a sphere of radius 1 is evaluated. Eigenfunctions obtained by utilizing spherical Bessel functions are used to evaluate the new potential. The change in the electric potential is a constant along the lightning channel, and it is the same as the pre-flash potential outside the channel. The governing equation for the electric potential is obtained from Maxwell’s equations.

Keywords:

• Lightning
• electric potential
• Maxwell’s equations
• Bessel functions
• eigenfunction expansions

AMS Subject Classifications:

• 35J25
• 35Q60
• 35P10
• 33C10

Acknowledgements

Author would like to thank the reviewers for their comments and suggestions which led to a more precise paper.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.