LAUSR

This paper describes the time evolution of ball plasmoids generated by millisecond atmospheric discharge in contact with water. The aim of this paper was to clarify an initiation and a formation mechanism of an atmospheric ball plasmoid. The use of a higher frame rate of filming and shorter exposition time, in comparison with past experiments, allows us to observe the fast processes that occur during a plasmoid evolution. We assert that an initial electrical breakdown in a cathode ceramic tube filled by a conductive liquid is essential for further plasmoid formation. It generates a shock wave resulting in a blast of conductive liquid. The resulting expansion of water vapor and bubbles with an addition of weekly ionized plasma serves as a main source of matter for plasmoid formation. We also note that an electrical arc generated after the breakdown transforms to a plasma jet. This jet accelerates plasma to the plasmoid.