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Plasma Ball or Warp Engine Science Projects

Warp engines and plasma balls represent two aspects of physics that have fascinated scientists, science fiction fans and governments across the world. Warp engines, popularized in television and science fiction movies, represent the possibility of faster-than-light travel across the cosmos. Plasma balls, first engineered by Nikola Tesla and popularized as novelties during the 1980s, illuminate the weirdness of different states of matter. Different kinds of projects are possible to undertake as ways to understand and explore these phenomena.
  1. Projects to Develop Warp Engines

    • NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project is just one example of a science project aimed at developing faster-than-light travel. Warp engines, or drives, represent one possible solution for the physical conundrum facing physicists engaged in this pursuit. Currently, our understanding of the universe prohibits objects from moving at speeds faster than light. Warp drives obviate this inconvenient physical law by attempting to bend or warp space around a space craft. NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project worked on this problem for many years (as did other projects in other countries with space programs), but, as of 2008, lost most major funding to continue the research.

    Warp Engine Literature Review Science Project for Students

    • For students interested in exploring the possibilities of warp engines and other types of faster-than-light travel as part of a science project, a review of the existing peer-reviewed literature and a presentation on the topic is a great choice. In 2008, the NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project compiled a textbook and literature list addressing the latest literature. Students should review the book and journal articles before explaining what they believe to be the most promising technologies that could lead us to faster-than-light travel. Use poster board, graphs and illustrations to present your findings.

    Simple Plasma Ball/Fluorescent Light Project

    • Tesla coils inside plasma balls emit high frequency energy that causes inert gases inside the ball's globe to glow in eerie ways. This principle is the same as the one at work in fluorescent light bulbs which emit light when gases inside the tube are agitated by electric currents. A simple project that demonstrates this principle requires the experimenter to hold a fluorescent light bulb next to an active plasma ball. The gas in the light bulb should begin to glow. Next, have one person touch the globe while touching the hand of another person who is holding the light bulb; it should glow again.

    Plasma Ball Project

    • For the dedicated plasma ball enthusiast, undertaking the building of a homemade plasma ball will be a rewarding, if tedious, science project. A household light bulb (which conveniently already houses argon gas) serves as the globe in the homemade plasma ball project. It is activated by the application of high voltage and high frequency electricity, according the RM Cybernetics, a company that offers do-it-yourself instructions for building a plasma ball.


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