Plasma ball and effects luminous

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the luminous effects observed in plasma balls, exploring the origins of the light emitted, specifically whether it arises from electrons, ions, or both. Participants examine the mechanisms behind the light production in the context of plasma physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the luminous effects in plasma balls are due to electrons, ions, or a combination of both.
  • Another participant describes the light as resulting from recombination, where electrons knocked off molecules recombine, emitting light.
  • A third participant provides a link to an external source discussing electric glow discharge, suggesting it relates to the topic.
  • A later reply outlines a sequence of events that may describe the light production process, including ionization, electron acceleration, collisions, excitation, and photon emission.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the specific mechanisms behind the luminous effects, with multiple viewpoints and hypotheses presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the processes involved in light emission and does not clarify the definitions of terms like "ionization" or "recombination." The sequence proposed by one participant remains unverified and is presented as a possibility rather than an established fact.

Gomide Math
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Are the effects luminous we see in plasma ball come from electron or ions ? Or the two ?
 
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Plasma balls? Are those the 6 inch glass spheres with the plasma discharge things? Had one once and it burned out. The light you see is from recombination. Electrons knocked off molecules recombine emitting the light you see.
 
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Is it correct to say that part of the light this lamp produces comes from the sequence:

1) atom gets ionized
2) electron accelerates (its ion too, of course)
3) collision between accelerated electrons and atoms (or ions)
4) atom (or ion) gets excited with this collision
5) atom (or ion) relaxes emitting photon.

?

Best regards

Cl4r4
 
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