Plasma Globe Tricks
There are a few well-known tricks involving the
plasma globe, and here I will explain the physics behind
them. Note that these explanations will be much easier to
understand if you read the other pages first.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_globe
1. When you
touch a plasma globe, the “streamers” will largely be
attracted to the point of contact.
This is the most obvious thing anyone notices when
first interacting with a plasma globe. Poke the globe with
your finger, and the streamers will arc towards the tip of
your finger. This is because the electrons are traveling
through you to escape the globe and reach the ground.
2. If you
hold a fluorescent light bulb near a plasma globe, it will
light up!
As electrons escape the plasma globe, they try to
reach the ground, and some of them will pass through the
bulb, lighting it up. This is much more effective with
fluorescent bulbs because they don’t need anywhere near as
much energy to light up compared to incandescent bulbs.
3. Place a
penny or other conductor on top the globe, and touch it
with another conductor. Sparks should jump between the
conductors.
Basically, electrons become stored up in the penny
over a small period of time, and when another conductor is
brought close, the electrons jump to it.