Another semi-offtopic "cool demo" idea. I have heard that argon gas makes
the sparks larger/longer? Someone once suggested that I get one of those
smoke ring launchers (http://www.zerotoys.com/newsite/products.htm) and
shoot argon gas rings at the topload for a lightning donut effect."
That one sounds interesting but wonder if it would be possible to generate
a high enough concentration to do anything? Seems to me guys here have
talked about filling a big plastic bag with helium and attaching it to the
top terminal. I believe that Bill Beatty has described some interesting
experiments along these lines.
Ed