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Hi Max,
Got this response from a faculty member in our Plasma Fusion Lab.   
Hope it helps.
Beryl

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Paul Thomas <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: October 25, 2006 8:59:35 AM EDT
> To: Beryl Rosenthal <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Fwd: PLASMA ball
>
> Hi Beryl,
>
> It was nice to see you. Yes, the large plasma balls can deliver  
> quite a shock. The reason is that the high voltage used to make the  
> plasma is RF which easily passes through the glass (capacitive  
> effect) to the hand on the ball. That person is neatly charged then  
> to a high potential and when nearby unsuspecting person comes in  
> contact, then zap! The small plasma balls do not have enough  
> current to be noticeable.
>
> -Paul
>
>
> At 08:47 AM 10/25/2006 -0400, you wrote:
>> Hi Paul,
>> I thought you'd find this of interest, Thanks again so much for  
>> your work with us at GradNight!
>> Beryl
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>> From: Max Scharfenberger  
>>> <<mailto:[log in to unmask]>maxs@TELUSWORLDOFSCIEN 
>>> CEEDMONTON.COM>
>>> Date: October 24, 2006 5:29:50 PM EDT
>>> To: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>ISEN-ASTC- 
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: PLASMA ball
>>> Reply-To: Informal Science Education Network <<mailto:ISEN-ASTC- 
>>> [log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]>
>>>
>>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
>>> Centers
>>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
>>> institutions.
>>> ******************************************************************** 
>>> *********
>>>
>>> We have a large plasma ball on our exhibit floor and have had a  
>>> few of our visitors receive shocks while interacting with the  
>>> Plasma Ball.  The problem seems to occur when a visitor is  
>>> touching the plasma ball and another visitor comes up and they  
>>> make contact resulting in a shock between the people.  Has anyone  
>>> had any similar situations occur and if so how have you handled it?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Max Scharfenberger
>>> VP Programs
>>> TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
>>> 11211 142 Street
>>> Edmonton, AB  T5M 4A1
>>> T (780) 452-9100
>>> F (780) 455-5882
>>> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>maxs@telusworldofscienc 
>>> eedmonton.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Magnet


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