Thames & Kosmos Plasma Ball

£30.00

Thames and Kosmos make it their mission to make science more interactive, accessible and fun. Most recently, the brand-new release of the Plasma Ball brings the science of stars to your home. In fact, I found it to be mesmerising as the Plasma Ball creates glowing electrical stems that dance around in the ball for hours on end.

This fascinating product is the perfect gift for anyone who loves physics or wants to develop their overall love for science. By accessing the fourth state of matter in the Plasma Ball, you are gazing at the ionized gas found in stars! The glass globe works by sending a high-voltage alternating current from a Tesla coil (the ball in the middle) through a noble gas to the surface of the glass. This is the process that creates lively streams of electricity. You are then witnessing escaping electrons that cause gas to light up. What’s more, when activated by touch, each tentacle zooms over to your fingertip, feeling like you and science are at one.  When touching it, I first thought I would receive an electric shock or something similar, however, I felt more of a buzzing feeling that wasn’t uncomfortable, but more intriguing. Particularly since the feeling is the controlling electricity through your fingertips!

The plasma ball would make a great quirky ornament in your home, as a 5-inch sphere sits on a curved stand. Furthermore, the Plasma Ball is made to be able to hang on a wall or sit on a tabletop, acting as the perfect conversation starter. Additionally, the Plasma Ball has the option to be powered via batteries (not included) or a USB-C cable.

The Plasma Ball has two modes: always-on and sound activation. The latter is particularly entertaining, as it makes you think you’re in a sci-fi film. Effectively, when you play music, the electrical tentacles wiggle and dance according to the sound, which received lots of attention in the GadgetHead Office. Overall, Thames & Kosmos have taken a dusty device used in our physics lessons and given it a revamp. Therefore, it provides hours of marvels and wonders as rocket science happens right before your eyes!

 

Pros:

- Making science fun.

- The science of stars can be brought to your home!

- Hangs on a wall or tabletop.

- Sound activation mode.

- Powered by battery or USB-C. 

- Safe and entertaining.