12. Lightning initiation--the most difficult issue of lightning physics -- 12.1. Hydrometeor theory of lightning initiation -- 12.2. The runaway theory of lightning initiation -- 12.3. Evidence supporting the hydrometeor theory of lightning initiation.11. Some lightning protection issues viewed through the lens of lightning physics -- 11.1. Striking distance versus the parameters of downward leaders in lightning protection of ground installations -- 11.2. A physical model of leader interaction with a ground structure -- 11.3. On the hazardous effects of upward lightning to tall structures -- 11.4. Sharp-tipped versus blunt-tipped lightning rods -- 11.5. Lightning protection of aircraft10. The physical concept of recoil leader formation -- 10.1. The relationship between the internal electric field and current in lightning leaders -- 10.2. Current cutoff prior to the occurrence of recoil leaders -- 10.3. The development of recoil leaders -- 10.4. A proposed conceptual model of recoil leader formation -- 10.5. Conclusion9. The phenomenon of recoil leaders -- 9.1. The nature of recoil and dart leaders -- 9.2. The relationship between recoil leaders and M-events : cause and effect -- 9.3. The electrostatic model of an M-event that produces an M-component -- 9.4. The universal nature of M-events in lightning8. Understanding current cutoff in lightning -- 8.1. Definition and manifestation of current cutoff in different lightning events -- 8.2. The death of the leader in unbranched lightning channels -- 8.3. Current cutoff in branched leaders -- 8.4. Arc instability and current cutoff7. Lightning triggered by rockets with wire and by tall structures -- 7.1. The idea of artificially triggered lightning -- 7.2. Concept and features of the classic rocket-triggered lightning technique -- 7.3. Concept and features of the altitude-triggered lightning technique -- 7.4. Conditions required for triggering lightning with rocket-and-wire techniques -- 7.5. On leaders and return strokes in rocket-triggered lightning -- 7.6. Upward lightning triggered by tall ground structures -- 7.7. Features of positive and negative leaders determined from studies of triggered lightning6. The electrostatic theory of lightning discharges -- 6.1. Cloud potential and induced charges of lightning -- 6.2. The relationship between the electric fields produced by leaders and return strokes -- 6.3. The relationship between lightning processes and space charges in thunderstorms -- 6.4. Applications and limitations of the electrostatic model5. Defining the types of lightning -- 5.1. The visible features of lightning flashes -- 5.2. Defining the types of lightning using the bidirectional, bipolar leader concept4. Verifying the concept of the bidirectional leader -- 4.1. How studying lightning strikes to aircraft has helped to solve the puzzle of lightning development -- 4.2. How does an aircraft trigger lightning? -- 4.3. Environmental conditions that lead to aircraft-triggered lightning3. Physical concepts of a lightning leader model -- 3.1. The space charge leader concept based on cloud charge collection -- 3.2. The bi-directional, uncharged leader concept based on induced charges -- 3.3. Comparing the outputs of the two leader models2. Lightning leaders versus free-burning arcs -- 2.1. Similarities and differences -- 2.2. The E-I relationship, from the results of laboratory measurements and the modeling of free-burning arcs -- 2.3. The E-I relationship and the luminosity of leader channelsPreface -- 1. The components of lightning -- 1.1. Features of lightning plasma -- 1.2. Lightning is more than a spark -- 1.3. Conditions for leader propagation -- 1.4. Lightning leaders in nature