# @stem_antics on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfJxLzAm37
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65777402-stem-antics-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/2ab5c9d405.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-18T16:34:22.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Stem Antics (@stem_antics) — https://gondola.cc/stem_antics

## Caption

The large copper coils surrounding the sphere are likely acting as induction coils, similar in principle to a simplified Tesla coil system. When alternating current flows through these coils at very high frequencies, they generate rapidly changing electromagnetic fields around the central glass sphere.

Inside the orb is a low-pressure gas mixture, often containing gases like neon, argon, or xenon. Under normal conditions these gases are electrically neutral. But when exposed to a strong oscillating electric field, electrons gain enough energy to ionize nearby atoms.

That process creates plasma — often called the fourth state of matter.
Plasma forms when electrons separate from atoms, producing a glowing soup of charged particles that can conduct electricity.

The glowing filaments appear because electrons are colliding with gas atoms inside the sphere. As those excited atoms return to lower energy states, they release photons — visible light. Different gases emit different colors depending on their atomic energy transitions.

What makes the effect even cooler is how the plasma reacts to your hand.

Your body acts like a conductive object that distorts the surrounding electric field. This changes the local capacitance around the sphere, concentrating the plasma filaments toward the closest point to your finger. In other words, you’re literally reshaping the electromagnetic field in real time.

This demonstration connects several major STEM concepts:

• Faraday’s Law of Induction
• Electromagnetic resonance
• Ionization physics
• Electric potential gradients
• Plasma dynamics
• Capacitive coupling
• High-frequency alternating current

Devices like this are simplified demonstrations of principles used in:

* wireless power transfer
* fluorescent lighting
* plasma research
* RF engineering
* particle accelerators
* fusion reactor diagnostics
* inductive charging systems

The reason it feels futuristic is because plasma physics and electromagnetism are still some of the most advanced areas of engineering and energy research today.

#STEM #Physics #Electromagnetism #TeslaCoil #Plasma

## Stats

- **Views:** 11,876
- **Likes:** 491
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 6

## Tags

electromagnetism, stem, teslacoil, physics, plasma

---
Copyright (c) Gondola