RISE OF AN ELIPSOIDAL AIR BUBBLE (A THERMAL) IN THE ATMOSPHERE L. G. Kaplan , E. I. Nesis , and A. P. Yakshin UDC 532.51:551.558 An idealized three-dimensional model of an air bubble (a thermal) rising in the atmosphere is considered. The shape of the thermal is taken to be ellipsoidal. The additional mass, the energy of the circulating motion of the air inside the bubble, the energy of the compensating motion of the air downward in the region of streamlining, and the total energy of the process of rising are determined. JEPTER7492019997 JEPTER749207