Plasma physics on the table

I don't remember learning about plasma when I took physics, but it's amazing stuff. Last week at the Hi-Tec conference in Arizona, I got to learn how an electromagnetic field can be used to push plasma around a tube. Community college students get to play with the coolest toys!

Here's some plasma contained in a small area.

Figure 1. Plasma on the table.

Here's some plasma getting pushed around a tube.

Figure 2. Plasma getting pushed around.

Wikipedia has a very nice article on plasma and plasma displays that occur in nature, such as St. Elmo's fire.  I guess if you want hands-on practice with plasma physics, community colleges are da place to go.