What Are Will 'O The Wisp and Foo Fighters?

[Leah]

I learned that Will 'O The Wisp is a weather phenomena that glows and can go inside and outside of structures. Ball Lightning is probably in the same category. "Foo Fighters" have been reported. I learned about "Foo Fighters" from the abcnews.com message forums, Science & Technology. I've seen on T.V. that pilots/Airforce personnel are afraid of coming froward with their accounts for fear of losing their jobs. The few that have come forward with a report, their reports are filed in the UFO category. Does physics explain these formations? Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[selfAdjoint]

I learned that Will 'O The Wisp is a weather phenomena that glows and can go inside and outside of structures. Ball Lightning is probably in the same category. "Foo Fighters" have been reported. I learned about "Foo Fighters" from the abcnews.com message forums, Science & Technology. I've seen on T.V. that pilots/Airforce personnel are afraid of coming froward with their accounts for fear of losing their jobs. The few that have come forward with a report, their reports are filed in the UFO category. Does physics explain these formations? Any thoughts? Thanks.

John Cramer has an article describing of a new theory, actually a development of an old theory, for ball lightning in this months' (December 2005) issue of Analog Sciece Fiction-Science Fact. I don't think he has it online yet.

Basically the charged water droplets in the atmosphere over a fairly broad area get "population inverted" by extensive lightning and they form a cavity which "lases" to produce a coherent EM field, which has within it some spikes - solitons - long lasting wave forms which are what the ball lightning are in this theory. I would assume the foo fighters and other anomalous radar targets could be produced by the same mechanism. This is really classical physics, not quantum.

 

[Leah]

Thank you. I guess your point means that light phenomena (many UFO sightings) can be explained through classical physics. I looked up Quantum Theory in the encyclopedia. It says "the theory that radiant energy is emitted (given off) and absorbed in units, or quanta, rather than in a steady stream." So quanta means the affect of radiant energy on matter? Please explain what quanta means and is there scientific proof to support what quanta becomes. Maybe it is just a methematical concept. I thought Quantum meant to try and support new and unexplained matters of energy. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[selfAdjoint]

Thank you. I guess your point means that light phenomena (many UFO sightings) can be explained through classical physics. I looked up Quantum Theory in the encyclopedia. It says "the theory that radiant energy is emitted (given off) and absorbed in units, or quanta, rather than in a steady stream." So quanta means the affect of radiant energy on matter? Please explain what quanta means and is there scientific proof to support what quanta becomes. Maybe it is just a methematical concept. I thought Quantum meant to try and support new and unexplained matters of energy. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Quantum means a chunk. It's a Latin word and we use its Latin plural: one quantum, many quanta.

Planck, back in 1899, discovered that you couldn't get the right formula for the intensity of radiation at differnt frequencies unless you assumed energy was absorbed and emitted in chunks, the physical term for this absorbing/emitting of energy in a given length of time is action and Planck was able to determine the size of the minimum chunk of action. He called it a quantum. It is now called Planck's constant and denoted by h.

Einstein, in one of the OTHER papers that he published in 1905 showed that the photoelectric effect could be explained if you assumed the radiation traveled in chunks; these were Planck's quanta in motion. So it became a complete theory of radiation, and had many successes in predicting spectrum (that's another word with a Latin plural: spectra) details. Further history of quantum physics would just take too much space for a post. It makes many detailed predictionsthat are seen in the laboratory, for example in experiments at atom smashers and so on.

Maybe your library has some good popular introductory books on quanta? I know Isaac Asimov wrote some.

 

[Leah]

Thank you. I just found and watched 100 Greatest Physics Moments on the Science Channel on "ON DEMAND" on Comast. That show helped me more than any library! Wow, I am amazed at Sir Newton Laws, Einstein Quantum (E=MC2), and Quarks, and Electron/Proton/Neutron, etc., etc., etc. It still appears to me that Quantum means to explain the unexplained through physics equations, I guess. I'm not a mathematician. I just see and ask questions and of course, would like answers. So are the affects of Will 'O The Wisp, Ball Lightning, UFO Light Phenomena answers to the equation E=MC2? I've got to go and will return tomorrow. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[selfAdjoint]

So are the affects of Will 'O The Wisp, Ball Lightning, UFO Light Phenomena answers to the equation E=MC2? I've got to go and will return tomorrow. Thanks for your thoughts.

Not really. On the theory I mentioned they would be results of nonlinear electrodynamics, the same physics that produces lasers. This can be seen as a part of Quantum Electrodynamics - that's what explains how the "population inversion" happens and how the coherent radiation is produced. Google on laser or maser to find intros. But the key soliton feature is a product of nonlinear classical dynamics - old fashioned nineteenth century physics brought up to date with twenty-first century mathematics. Conversion of mass into energy doesn't play a part.

 

[Leah]

Thank you. So now I have to research electrodynamics, laser or maser. Mass does not turn into energy? How interesting. But we see light formations form as documented by Will 'O the Wisp, Ball Lightning, UFO Light Phenomena. So there must be an electrodynamic function taking place? Right now, I'm reading Mr. Juan R. Gonzalez-Alvarez's "Evalution of The String Theory" A Canonical Science Project. I think this man is a genius! I think that Canonical Science is a new "birth" of Science as we know it. Someone on the abcnews.com message board where I have been posting said that Mr. Gonzalez-Alvarez is just self-promoting himself. Wow. I don't know what to think, but I will do some research on lasers after I finish reading about The String Theory. Thank you again.

 

[Leah]

Well, at this point, electrodynamic phenomena takes on new meaning in this article. Just being a high-school grad, I think what Mr. Gonzalez-Alvarez is saying is lasers, what's known about electrodynamic function? pertaining to phenomena?, is pretty much up for discussion in Canonical Science. I'm not sure if I'm comprehending it right, but I'm following Mr. Gonzalez-Alvarez's reports from now on. I kinda think that physics as we know it, which I think explains little about Will 'O The Wisp, Ball Lightning, and UFO Light Phenomena, has changed with new equations and everything in Canonical Science. But, if I have to read about current electrodynamic function I will. Just right now, I think I'm on to something. Thank you for any thoughts.

 

[ZapperZ]

May I suggest you be VERY careful about adopting something that isn't part of accepted physics. Based on what you have described as your background, you should alwasy consider the possibility that due to your lack of knoweldge about physics that you could easily be fooled into accepting something unverified. Don't be too quick to make grandiose proclamation.

I would also strongly suggest you reread the PF guidelines on posting that you have agreed to upon joining this forum.

Zz.

 

[Leah]

Thank you.

 

[Leah]

Quite Honestly, I cannot find the PF guidelines, I will keep trying. Are all LASER Lights Red? Don't Street Lights, Flood Lights, Illuminate the background? Laser light only shows it light? I'll be back tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[ZapperZ]

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374

And no, all lasers are not red.

Zz.

 

[Leah]

Thank you. I will keep doing research on light, but all I really wanted to know is if the Physic Community can explain Will 'O The Wisp, Foo Fighters, Ball Lightning, UFO Light Phenomena or does the Physic Community consider these light formations unverifiable? I can do research, but my understanding of how light works will never be able to fully explain the aforementioned light formations. That is why I came to you. Thank you. Any thoughts?

 

[ZapperZ]

Thank you. I will keep doing research on light, but all I really wanted to know is if the Physic Community can explain Will 'O The Wisp, Foo Fighters, Ball Lightning, UFO Light Phenomena or does the Physic Community consider these light formations unverifiable? I can do research, but my understanding of how light works will never be able to fully explain the aforementioned light formations. That is why I came to you. Thank you. Any thoughts?

Ball lightning:

1. The nature of ball lightning, S Singer - New York, Plenum Press (1971).

2. Ball lightning and other meteorological phenomena, D.J. Turner, Physics Reports, v.293, p.1, (1998).

3. The properties and the nature of ball lightning, B.M. Smirnov, Physics Reports, v.152, p.177 (1987).

Shall I go on?

Go to a library, and do a literature search on any of the topics above. There are TONS of physics journals. How did you know you covered all of them?

Zz.

 

[Leah]

Thank you.

 

[Leah]

I am planning to go to the Library and also surf the web on Ball Lighting. FYI - I just sent an email to the Forum Administrator. Thank you.

 

[Leah]

I just looked up Quantum in the Dictionary. It says: A. The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation. B. This amount of energy regarded as a unit. So my question is: Can this tinyest amount of energy collide with atoms ( I guess) and produce light formations? Maybe this explains UFO Light Phenomena?

 

[ZapperZ]

I just looked up Quantum in the Dictionary. It says: A. The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation. B. This amount of energy regarded as a unit. So my question is: Can this tinyest amount of energy collide with atoms ( I guess) and produce light formations? Maybe this explains UFO Light Phenomena?

Think about it. If all it takes to understand "Quantum" theory is a quick reading off a dictionary, there would be no reason to have all those books and all those semesters in college taking quantum mechanics course, would it?

Please pay attention to the Speculative posting in the Guidelines. You are doing just that.

Zz.

 

[Doc Al]

You will not be able to learn quantum mechanics by looking up the definition in the dictionary. Quanta (and quantum mechanics) are involved in the production of any light.

If you would like to discuss "UFO Light Phenomena", the best place to do that is in the Skepticism and Debunking forum.

 

[Leah]

Thank you. I do not know how to ask you questions that I have without breaking a PF Guideline. FYI - I have sent another email to the Forum Administrator. I am not here to cause trouble, just to understand. I will go look in the Skepticism and Debunking forum to see if I can answer some of my questions. Thank you.

 

[Leah]

Does Quantum Theory mean to explain the unexplained? Matter turning into another form of matter or Light? Or is it about time and space and dimension?

 

[selfAdjoint]

Does Quantum Theory mean to explain the unexplained? Matter turning into another form of matter or Light? Or is it about time and space and dimension?

It depends on what you mean by "explain". Quantum mechanics has a number of principles, like the uncertainty principle and the principle of complementarity, plus some equations like the Schroedinger equations and the Dirac equation. It ACCOUNTS for observed behaviors of matter in terms of these, but at bottom it does not offer much in the way of expanation. Science mostly does not do explanation, because it finds the problems with explaining lead into non-scientific modes of argument. Accounting-for is a more conservative practice.


Quantum mechanics makes assumptions about space and time; basically non-relativistic QM (Schroedinger equation) assumes Newtonian space and time, while relativistic QM (Dirac equation and quantum field theory) assumes 4-dimensional spacetime, like Special Relativity. Quantum mechanics and General Relativity have notoriously not been able to relate to each other in the past and a lot of physicists are now working in various ways to try to overcome that.

 

[Leah]

Thank you. You had mentioned before that Quantum is a "chunk". To me that means there must be a lot of "chunks". Is there any name for the "chunk" I am asking about; i.e., light formation (Will 'o Wisp, Foo Fighters, Etc.), Or must I research each light formation to find out how each one works? Very time consuming, and I guess I can do that via the www, but from my limited knowledge, a Theory of such formations, must have a beginning. Could that be a new "chunk" of Quantum Light Theory? Or is Physics not going to address this piece of Quanta? I just need a direction to go into ask questions. Thank you.

 

[Leah]

Well I have another observation. The lights I see in my neighborhood. The one's closest illuminate the background as the eye can see. The one's farthest away do not illuminate background. They appear like a laser light, all different colors. Sometimes you can see the window around the light, but I see little dots of light in the window, too. Distance I believe must be a factor to the eye, but is it a factor in QLT? Thank you. Just asking questions, and of course, they may not be relevant. But I would hope I can help! Thanks! May We All See The Light...Leah

 

[Leah]

Another Observation: Light reflects and deflects? Light must be energy? Light affects atoms, electron, etc.? Just quizzing myself. Quite honestly, I have no answers, just questions!

 

[Leah]

Last reply for the evening, if anyone is listening...The Sun. The Ultimate Light. How was the Sun formed? What Affects do the Sun's Light's Rays have on atoms? Gee, just an observer here of Light. Goodnight by the moonlight. Leah

 

[Leah]

Had to come back. Hubby says there has to be more than one type of atom. Or Else We Would All Look the Same. He's a keeper! Goodnight! Leah

 

[masudr]

Leah, if you could phrase a few carefully formulated question at a time that's relevant to "Quantum Physics," maybe your questions will be answered to great detail in wonderfully simple language by some of the better contributors on this forum. This is not your blog.

 

[Leah]

I apologize on my behalf of my personality. Quantum Physics is a "chunk" of a "map of the territory" per Dr. Chinese. I was just making observations about light, which I would like to begin as QLT (Quantum Light Theory). Maybe there is already a QLT. I am just finding this humerous that no one has any theories of light (glow) formations. Sorry. Please continue in this forum with your own threads. This may not be my blog, but I am allowed an avenue to express my opinion and personality, I hope, to rethink your Physic Minds, and !st Amendment Rights! Good night. Please do not take my comments personally. I just want to ask questions. Atoms...one or many?

 

[quantumdude]

I was just making observations about light, which I would like to begin as QLT (Quantum Light Theory). Maybe there is already a QLT.

There is a quantum theory of light, and it is called Quantum Electrodynamics (QED for short).

I am just finding this humerous that no one has any theories of light (glow) formations. Sorry.

*cough cough*

ZapperZ gave you 3 leads. Why aren't you following them?

Please continue in this forum with your own threads. This may not be my blog, but I am allowed an avenue to express my opinion and personality, I hope, to rethink your Physic Minds, and !st Amendment Rights! Good night. Please do not take my comments personally.

Your 1st Amendment protections do not extend to Physics Forums. This is a privately owned and operated website, and we have rules here. If you will not or can not abide by those rules, then your posting rights here will be revoked. The Admin giveth, and the Admin taketh away.

I just want to ask questions. Atoms...one or many?

That is not a question. That is at best a sentence fragment with a question mark stuck on the end of it.

 

[Leah]

And One More Question before I am punished...How Old Is The Sun? Does Physics, and ALL it's theory's explain the beginning of the SUN? I have children, I am here to pave the path for my children. Goodnight by the Moonlight...and tides.

 

[Math Is Hard]

Leah, you have to slow down a bit. Take small steps. Have you thought about enrolling in an introductory physics course at your local college? You would have to do quite a bit of book-reading, but I think you would really enjoy it. I think it's great that you ask lots of questions, but you seem to be trying to relate things that you don't have an understanding of yet (and in some cases, like "Foo-fighters", things that no one has an understanding of - things that may not even be more than figments of the imagination.)

And here's a site you might like. You can find some answers to your questions about the solar system here:
http://hubblesite.org/reference_desk/faq/category.php.cat=solarsystem

 

[Leah]

Thank you! I learned from the above website "How Did The Solar System Form?" that the Sun is the collapsed core of an interstellar gas cloud. May I ask a question? Do gas atoms collide to form Light or is Light a gas? Please provide me with another link so I can research. Thank you. Leah / Moderator: Can I post questions like this? Thanks!

 

[DrChinese]

Thank you! I learned from the above website "How Did The Solar System Form?" that the Sun is the collapsed core of an interstellar gas cloud. May I ask a question? Do gas atoms collide to form Light or is Light a gas? Please provide me with another link so I can research. Thank you. Leah / Moderator: Can I post questions like this? Thanks!

When the interstellar gas becomes compressed due to the force of gravity, nuclear fusion spontaneously begins. Fusion is the process of creating helium from hydrogen, and that releases energetic light which heats up the surrounding gas. It also causes the process to continue, until the amount of hydrogen remaining is too little. Light is not a gas.

I might join the loud chorus of previous posters who recommend that you go down to the Barnes & Noble and purchase a book on the subject. There are many good ones. Then read it! It will connect the dots for you as it is designed to take you from square 1, which is where you are at right now.

Good luck!

 

[vanesch]

Can I post questions like this? Thanks!

You can, but you should try to get them in the appropriate section. For instance, quantum physics is not really about the formation of the solar system.
Questions at all levels are accepted here ; however, if you know of yourself that you are particularly ignorant of a subject, it might be wise to say so in the post, you'll get probably a better response that way.