But can it get Radio 4? Incredible video shows a novel (and dangerous) way listening to the radio – with a WEED held next to a 50,000-watt transmitter station 

  • Ordinary items like a blade of grass can be used to transmit radio signals 
  • Video shows group of men placing weeds on antenna to listen to music
  • Plasma responds to high-frequency radio waves because it is massless
  • Plasma speakers are very dangerous due to their incredibly high voltage 

Music fans no longer need a radio to listen to their favourite tunes.  

Scientists have discovered ordinary items can be used to transmit radio waves - including a blade of grass.

A video, which is believed to include Russian-speaking Ukrainians, shows a group of men placing weeds and plants on a radio antenna so they can listen to music.

A video, which is believed to include Russian-speaking Ukrainians, shows a group of men placing weeds and plants on a radio antenna so they can listen to music. Above, one of the weeds smoking as it touches the transmitter

The incredible footage shows that as the grass burns - due to the high voltage - music plays in the background.

An unnamed man wearing gloves then holds a larger bunch of weeds to the bottom of the transmitter, which is thought to be at least 50,000 watts.

The minute-long clip shows him keeping the plants in place for as long as possible before shouting 'ow' as his companions giggle.

As long as the weeds touch the transmitter, a woman who appears to be reading the news can be heard.

A HIGHLY IONISED GAS THAT CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY AND RESPONDS TO AUDIO SIGNALS  

Plasma, which scientists have named the 'fourth matter' after solids, liquids and gases, is a highly ionised gas that can conduct electricity.

It responds to high-frequency audio signals as it is virtually massless. 

Electrical currents cause the ions in the plasma to move, which in turn makes its gaseous diaphragm vibrate. This creates sound waves in the air.

In this case, the vibrations from the current going through the blade of grass are audible because the grass acts like a speaker. 

Unlike ordinary speakers, plasma speakers are dangerous due to their high voltage. 

The men from the video could suffer from radio frequency burns, which burn from the inside. 

Unlike ordinary speakers, plasma speakers are dangerous due to their high voltage. The men in the video are believed to be at the site of a transmitter with at least 50,000 watts

Unlike ordinary speakers, plasma speakers are dangerous due to their high voltage. The men in the video are believed to be at the site of a transmitter with at least 50,000 watts

The incredible footage shows that as the grass burns - due to the high voltage - music plays in the background

The incredible footage shows that as the grass burns - due to the high voltage - music plays in the background

The clip ends with the man moaning as he looks at his gloves.

Plasma, which scientists have named the 'fourth matter' after solids, liquids and gases, is a highly ionised gas that can conduct electricity and respond to high-frequency audio signals. 

It is thought to make up more than 99 per cent of all matter in the universe.  

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