Dr. Steve Pusztay's class recently conducted quite an interesting experiment dealing with electricity. The goal of the experiment was to demonstrate how a plasma is formed. A plasma is made up of electrons and ions. A plasma ball is a smaller version of a Tesla coil with wires inside containing a high frequency current. Basically, this means that the electrons are moving back and forth very quickly, resulting in the electrons falling off and forming a plasma. Inside of plasma ball is a partial vacuum, meaning some of the air was sucked out, thus making it easier to conduct visual electric sparks.
With this information in mind, the class also went about using the concept to light a fluorescent light tube with the touch of a hand, as well as burn a sheet of paper with only the plasma ball and two pennies. The results of the experiment were promising.
- Brianna Boahn
With this information in mind, the class also went about using the concept to light a fluorescent light tube with the touch of a hand, as well as burn a sheet of paper with only the plasma ball and two pennies. The results of the experiment were promising.
- Brianna Boahn