A plasma ball is a glass sphere filled with neon gas and contains a high-voltage electrode in the center. When electricity is applied, it creates blue and purple plasma filaments inside the sphere. Touching the outside of the glass causes the plasma filaments near the point of contact to brighten as it provides a path for the electrical energy to flow. Nikola Tesla is credited with inventing the plasma ball in 1894.

1. Plasma
Ball
By
Thomas Cochrane

2. What is a
Plasma Ball?
A Plasma Ball is a clear glass sphere filled with noble
gases with a high-voltage electrode in the centre of
the sphere.
The most common noble gas used is Neon.
Neon is a chemical element with symbol Ne and
atomic number 10.

3. Plasma filaments
The electricity from the
electric diode creates plasma
filaments which appear like
blue and purple light.

4. What happens
when you touch it?
Placing a hand near the glass
offers an attractive place for
the energy to flow.
Touching it causes a single
filament, from the inner ball to
the point of contact, to
become brighter and thinner.
The filament is brighter
because there is more current
flowing through it.

5. Who invented it?
Nikola Tesla in 1894.

6. Plasma Ball experiment with
fluorescent light bulb
Touch light bulb on plasma
ball
What happens?
Why?

7. Thank you!
Have a nice day!