I am doing a science experiment and we decided to try holding a non-contact voltage detector up to plasma ball. We were surprised that it would light up when it was 3 ft away from the plasma ball. I assume that it is detecting the electromagnetic field created by the ball.
Even more interesting, if I hold the voltage detector in one hand and touch the plasma ball with the other, it will still light up. We created a line of 5 people holding hands, with one person touching the ball and the last person holding the voltage detector. (About 15-20 ft)
For our test, we were standing on a laminate floor with socks/bare feet.
Unlike my old voltage detector that would beep randomly and for any reason, this voltage detector only beeps and lights up when it was within a centimetre of a live 110v wire.
So, when you touch the globe, is electricity flowing through my body, or what is causing the voltage detector to beep and light up? We are way outside of the "electromagnetic field", aren't we?
Wikipedia states that it emits radio frequency energy. How is that different from an electromagnetic field?
Another interesting trick - an LED light panel lights up when brought near the plasma ball. If you set it on top of the plasma ball and let go, the LED lights go out. It only lights up when you bring your hand near the LED light or hold it.
So as my hand approaches the plasma ball, why does the LED light start to light up, and much brighter when I hold the LED light?