What is Plasma?
Plasma is the fourth state of matter. Many places teach that there are three states of matter; solid, liquid and gas, but there are actually four. The fourth is plasma. To put it very simply, a plasma is an ionized gas, a gas into which sufficient energy is provided to free electrons from atoms or molecules and to allow both species, ions and electrons, to coexist. The funny thing about that is, that as far as we know, plasmas are the most common state of matter in the universe. They are even common here on earth. A plasma is a gas that has been energized to the point that some of the electrons break free from, but travel with, their nucleus. Gases can become plasmas in several ways, but all include pumping the gas with energy. A spark in a gas will create a plasma. A hot gas passing through a big spark will turn the gas stream into a plasma that can be useful. Plasma torches like that are used in industry to cut metals. The biggest chunk of plasma you will see is that dear friend to all of us, the sun. The sun's enormous heat rips electrons off the hydrogen and helium molecules that make up the sun. Essentially, the sun, like most stars, is a great big ball of plasma.
Interesting Facts about Plasma
- Plasma can be accelerated and steered my magnetic fields which allow it to be controlled and applied.
- Lightning and stars are made of plasma.
- 99% of the visible universe is made of plasmas.
- Plasma can be created by applying by creating an electric field to a low-pressure gas in a neon or flourescent tube.
- Ionospheric plasma is very thin and has distincive layers that differ in composition and density.
- Plasma is an efficient source of radiation for sterilization of pasturization.
- Energy is needed to strip the electrons from the atoms inside a plasma.
- Plasma temperatures range from relatively cool and tenuous (aurora) to very hot and dense (core of a star).
- Plasma was used in the creation of the nuclear bomb.
- Research involving plasma's is being conducted in order to create energy.
References:
http://education.jlab.org/qa/plasma_01.html
http://www.angelfire.com/my/plasmaluv/facts.html
http://www.angelfire.com/my/plasmaluv/facts.html