Look at this cool gizmo I got at the thrift store today(Plasma)(Pic)

[amerikat]

I have always loved these devices. I don't know what it's called. It a glass sphere that generates plasma(I assume it's a plasma)from a central point inside the sphere to the inner wall of the sphere. If you touch the glass a lightning looking type of plasma appears from the touch point to the generation point.

I think the effect is caused by high frequency energy trying to go to ground.

Can anyone enlighten me about this thing that I can play with for hours?

[TahitiNut]

1. Pray to St. Elmo.

:evilgrin:

http://www.4physics.com/phy_demo/plasma1.htm
http://members.misty.com/don/plaspher.html
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mrniell/Plasma.html

[amerikat]

11. very cool. thanks for the links.

[xray s]

2. That's a Cheney Life Force Sucker

Step away! It's wired directly to the "undisclosed location" and designed to suck the life force right out of your body!

[Don Claybrook]

3. It's called a Tesla ball n/t

[amerikat]

5. I figured tesla had a hand in this

He did love spectacular demonstrations.

[madeline_con]

4. get rid of it

It looks dangerous from this angle. I wouldn't trust it. Could be a dembobulator, used by the GOP to thin out the herd. If you simply must keep it, stay out of the bathtub while you use it.

[shraby]

6. My grandkids have one of those. Fascinating

aren't they?

[amerikat]

10. It sure is........it changes as it it touched

[amerikat]

8. So I should gift it to a repug and make an official looking box

that clearly states "The Magic Bathtub Toy" Sold only to pugs and clearly state "This device should not be used as a life preserver". I think you have something here.

[hootinholler]

7. Is it a Tesla coil inside? Nice find, how much? N/T

[amerikat]

9. $3.95..........really.......I knew it was a steal.

[sakabatou]

13. Wow

yeah, that is a steal.

[Up2Late]

12. Those things where really popular in the late 1980's

I alway wanted one, but never had the spare $40-$60 Dollars. I think they still sell them at Spencer Gifts, back with all the other "Stoner Stuff" (Black light posters, Lava Lamps, Strobe Lights, etc.)

Some of them have a Audio sensitivity slider on them, but I think all of them respond to sound and Music. Turn on some Loud music (with a bunch of bass) and watch what it does, you might need to adjust the intensity slider on the Tesla ball. :hippie:

[Cicero]

14. Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball (nt)