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Signal build

Plasma Speaker

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

Radio & soundBuildHigh voltageAudio

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How it works

What this project is testing.

A plasma speaker makes sound without a moving cone. Instead, a tiny hot plasma arc expands and contracts the air directly.

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The experiment demonstrates audio modulation: when the power in the plasma changes with the music signal, the air heats and cools in the same pattern, creating pressure waves.

P (t) = V (t) I (t)

Changing electrical power changes how much heat the plasma dumps into the air.

Δ p \propto Δ T

Rapid temperature changes in air create pressure changes, which we hear as sound.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes 100MHz with Accessories Kit 1X 10X 2 Pack

test probes / leadstest equipment

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes, 100MHz, 1X/10X, 2 Pack

$13.994.7(126)

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit w 2 Helping Hands, 6 Extra Iron Tips, Lead-Free Solder, Solder Sucker, S/S Tweezers, °C/ºF Conversion, Auto Sleep & Calibration Support

soldering ironfabrication

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit

$39.994.4(6,900)

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

BOJACK 24Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit Range 0.1uF－1000uF

capacitorpassive electronics

BOJACK 24-Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit, 0.1uF-1000uF

$16.994.7(953)

BOJACK 10 Values 250 Pcs A1015 BC327 BC337 C1815 S8050 S8550 2N2222 2N2907 2N3904 2N3906 PNP NPN Power General Purpose Transistors Assortment Kit

transistor / MOSFETsemiconductor

BOJACK 10-Value 250 Pcs PNP/NPN General Purpose Transistor Assortment Kit

$8.994.7(763)

150 Pcs 15 Value 100 ohm- 2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor 6mm Potentiometer Assortment Kit

potentiometerpassive electronics

150 Pcs 15-Value 100 ohm-2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor Potentiometer Assortment Kit

$11.994.6(267)

BOJACK 20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor 10 uH to 10 mH 1 W Color Ring Inductor 1 Watt Assortment Kit

inductor / coilpassive electronics

20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor Assortment Kit, 1uH to 4.7mH, 0.5W Color Ring Inductors

$13.994.8(182)

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Jack Converter, 12 Volt LED Driver 24W Adapter Transformer for Strip Lights, Surveillance Cameras, External HDD, Monitor, CCTV (Pack of 1)

transformerpower

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Adapter Transformer

$8.994.5(6,601)

General low-voltage transformer/adapter pick; match voltage/current and connector to the circuit.

ZVS Driver Module 12V to 30V DC High Voltage Generator with Flyback Transformer Heater Coil Boost Power Supply Board for Induction Heating

flyback transformerhigh voltage

ZVS Driver Module with Flyback Transformer, 12V-30V DC High Voltage Generator

$37.504.4(55)

High-voltage specialty part. Review ratings and safety language before public recommendation. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3, Quiet 120mm USB Fan, UL-Certified for Receiver DVR PlayStation Xbox Computer Cabinet Cooling

fanelectromechanical

AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3, Quiet 120mm USB Fan

$14.994.7(37K)

CQRobot Speaker 3 Watt 8 Ohm Compatible with Arduino Motherboard, JST-PH2.0 Interface. It is Ideal for a Variety of Small Electronic Projects.

speakeraudio

CQRobot 3 Watt 8 Ohm Speaker for Arduino and Small Electronics Projects

$7.994.5(457)

Syncwire 3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable (3.3ft/1m,Hi-Fi Sound), Audio Auxiliary Input Adapter Male to Male Cord for Headphones, Car, Home Stereos, Speaker, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Echo & More – Black

audio source / phoneaudio

3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable, Male to Male, 3.3ft

$7.994.6(119K)

Use with an existing phone or audio player.

TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4" Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W

microwave ovensalvage

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu Ft, 1000W

$148.994.4(32K)

Recommend only as an appliance; do not encourage buying a working microwave for disassembly. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

Theefun Plasma Ball 8 Inch Plasma Globe Lamp

plasma globe / plasma ballhigh voltage

8 Inch Plasma Ball, Touch and Sound Sensitive Plasma Globe Lamp

$34.954.6(3,100)

DEVMO DC 3V-6V to 400kV 400000V Boost Step-up Power Module High-Voltage Generator

high-voltage power supplypower

DEVMO DC 3V-6V to 400kV Boost Step-up High-Voltage Generator Module

$10.994.4(508)

Prefer low-current educational modules over mains-powered high-voltage supplies. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Cup Set with Pour Spout,60ml(2OZ),120ml(4OZ), 250ml(8OZ) Glass Measuring Beaker for Kitchen or Restaurant, Easy to Read

glassfabrication

Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Beaker Set with Pour Spout

4.5(3,500)

Koolertron Upgraded 15MHz DDS Signal Generator Counter,High Precision Dual-Channel Arbitrary Waveform Function Generator Frequency Meter 200MSa/s (15MHz)

function generatortest equipment

Koolertron Upgraded 15MHz DDS Signal Generator Counter,High Precision Dual-Channel Arbitrary Waveform Function Generator Frequency Meter 200MSa/s (15MHz)

$118.994.4(470)

Jesverty DC Power Supply Variable, 0-30V 0-10A Adjustable Switching DC Regulated Bench Power Supply with High Precision 4-Dig

bench DC power supplypower

Variable DC Bench Power Supply, 30V 10A Adjustable Regulated Supply

$64.994.5(2,700)

Easycargo 100pcs Heatsink Assortment Kit Small Cooler Aluminum Heat Sink Set for Cooling Laptop CPU GPU VGA RAM VRAM VRM IC LED MOSFET Transistor SCR Voltage Regulator (Without Thermal Tape)

cold sink / heat sinkthermal

Easycargo 100pcs Small Aluminum Heat Sink Assortment Kit

4.7(566)

LOVIMAG Strong Neodymium Disc Magnets with Double-Sided Adhesive

magnetmagnetics

DIYMAG Strong Neodymium Disc Magnets with Double-Sided Adhesive, 1.26 inch x 1/8 inch, Pack of 12

$15.994.4(22K)

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

Events, speaking, collaborations, and news.

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