Scientifically, plasma is simply “a gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized [and] has properties quite unlike those of solids, liquids, or gases and is considered to be a distinct state of matter.” Continue reading to see five of the coolest plasma experiments ever.
1. Plasma Speaker
While not the liquid/gas/solid states of plasma, this speaker uses the non-solid ‘fourth state of matter’ by creating compression waves in the air. Hopefully, there will be portable versions of this technology in the near future and/or a surround sound setup.
2. Microwave Plasma
Making plasma at home isn’t as hard as you may think. All you need is: a glass jar, three soda bottle caps, toothpicks, lighter, cork, and a microwave. For those who don’t have ample experience in a science lab, please consult a responsible adult before attempting this experiment.
3. Plasma Ball Trick
First off, don’t attempt this plasma ball trick at home, unless you’re a professional like YouTube user “falcovolt”. If you’re at work and unable to view videos, he basically uses a paper clip to concentrate the plasma globe’s electricity on a business card.
4. Plasma Rocket
In this awe-inspiring video, you’ll see “plasma test shots from the VASIMR VX-100 prototype plasma rocket housed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The video is slowed down to 1/2 speed.” These types of thrusters reportedly “have the ability to operate continuously for months.”
5. Plasma Light Bulb
We have seen the future of light bulbs, and it’s plasma, or so we hope. The “plasma light bulb which puts out nearly 10 times as much light, uses half the power of a traditional light bulb and can reach temperatures that are equivalent of the surface of the sun.”
