Can You Make Plasma at Home? Tips and Safety Precautions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and safety of creating plasma at home, particularly for a science fair project. Participants explore the methods of generating plasma, the necessary equipment, safety precautions, and the legality of such activities in Canada. The conversation includes both theoretical and practical aspects of plasma generation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in creating a magnetic force field with plasma for a science fair project and inquires about the dangers and legality of the process.
  • Another participant explains that creating plasma on a small scale is relatively easy, mentioning the use of noble gases and high voltage electrical supplies.
  • Concerns are raised about the dangers of high voltage, with a recommendation for adult supervision due to the associated hazards.
  • Participants discuss the need for specific equipment, including a vacuum container, electrodes, and a high voltage power supply, as well as the possibility of using electromagnets.
  • One participant shares a personal experience of creating plasma in high school using a vacuum and a capacitor, noting the transient nature of the plasma produced.
  • Another participant challenges the feasibility of using plasma to melt metal, suggesting that a plasma cutter would be more appropriate for that purpose.
  • There is a mention that generating plasma does not guarantee the ability to melt metal, with examples provided of plasma in fluorescent tubes not melting the glass.
  • A participant expresses a desire for the plasma to last long enough to achieve their goal of melting metal, raising questions about the merit of the project for potential awards.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of using plasma to melt metal or the practicality of the proposed science fair project. Multiple competing views exist regarding the methods and safety of creating plasma.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the legality of plasma generation in Canada and the safety implications of working with high voltage equipment. There are also unresolved questions about the technical requirements for sustaining plasma and its application in melting metal.

mat1101
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Firstly, I want to do this for a science fair project. I want to create a magnetic force field with plasma also.

Second, I would like to know how dangerous it is to make and handle.

Third, is it illegal in Canada?

Fourth how do you make plasma cheaply? What parts do I need, ect.

Thank you!
 
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It is relatively easy to create plasma on a small scale.
A standard plasma ball has a vacuum of about 0.01 atmospheres of helium, neon, or other noble gas. The gas is excited by a 2-5 Kilovolt 35 KHz electrical supply.

For your project you would need something to contain the plasma and hold the gas in the vacuum, an electrode, a high voltage power supply, and applicable connecting equipment such as wires and pipes and such. You could use some simple electromagnets outside of the vacuum container to inflence the plasma.

The most dangerous issue here is the high voltage. Fortunantly you can get high voltage at a small current to reduce the hazard. I don't believe this would be illegal in Canada, as it isn't posing a hazard to anyone other than yourself if you screw up.

It seems that you don't know too much about electricity and the associated hazards, so I HIGHLY recommend getting an adult to assist you. Also rememer that this would NOT be a simple project. You will be required to learn and understand many concepts you probably wouldn't learn and apply them appropriately. You would also have to acquire parts. While you can buy used parts for relatively cheaply, if you don't know what you are doing you could be getting bad parts that pose a hazard.
 
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Thank you!
 
Drakkith said:
It is relatively easy to create plasma on a small scale.
A standard plasma ball has a vacuum of about 0.01 atmospheres of helium, neon, or other noble gas. The gas is excited by a 2-5 Kilovolt 35 KHz electrical supply.

For your project you would need something to contain the plasma and hold the gas in the vacuum, an electrode, a high voltage power supply, and applicable connecting equipment such as wires and pipes and such. You could use some simple electromagnets outside of the vacuum container to inflence the plasma.

The most dangerous issue here is the high voltage. Fortunantly you can get high voltage at a small current to reduce the hazard. I don't believe this would be illegal in Canada, as it isn't posing a hazard to anyone other than yourself if you screw up.

It seems that you don't know too much about electricity and the associated hazards, so I HIGHLY recommend getting an adult to assist you. Also rememer that this would NOT be a simple project. You will be required to learn and understand many concepts you probably wouldn't learn and apply them appropriately. You would also have to acquire parts. While you can buy used parts for relatively cheaply, if you don't know what you are doing you could be getting bad parts that pose a hazard.

Actually, I did this in high school with air, the vacuum achievable by a good water aspirator, and a big capacitor with flat copper connections apply a sudden voltage. Plasma existed and flashed only for a moment with this set up. I wasn't trying to maintain or control the plasma - just see a flash as it got created in a tube.
 
Well i need it long enough to survive for as long as i like ;D
what i am trying to achieve is a magnetic force field to hold the metal, then with a flip of the switch, plasma melts the metal.

Also would you think that this science fair idea has some merit to win a prize like a scholarship or something?
 
Hrmm. I think melting a plate with plasma is a bit different than simply creating plasma. Your best bet would be a plasma cutter, but that is way more difficult. Also, a magnetic field cannot hold uncharged metal. You would not be able to keep it in place.
 
Generating a plasma does not ensure at all that you can melt metal with it.
The plasma in a fluorescent tube does not seem to melt the glass of the tube.
And this is an easy way to make plasma. It's legal in Canada, they sell the tubes in all hardware stores.
 
Well I want to make plasma that is able to melt metal, like the high voltage and high temperature kind.
 

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