Plasma is considered the fourth state of the matter, others are solids, liquids, and gases. It was first defined by, an American chemist and physicist, Mr. Irving Langmuir, 1920.
Basically, plasma can be artificially made by heating a neutral gas till the time its electrons get sufficient energy to move away from the nuclei which are positively charged. As the molecular bond between them gets break and atoms either lose or gain electrons, ions get formed. Plasma can be made by using any artificial method like in any strong electromagnetic field, a microwave generator, or laser.
Although you would have not heard much about plasma if you are not from the science background, in the universe, it is the most common established state of the matter and very general on Earth.
Plasma Is Made of?
It is made of positively charged ions and free electrons.
Learn the basics about plasma – the fourth state of matter, when learning about properties of matter.
What Is It Used For?
Plasma is basically used in fluorescent lights, television, and in neon signs. When lightning happens in the sky, stars get flashed sometimes, when aurora happen and also when you see fire, and certain flames at the higher level, all these consist plasma.
Where And How Can I Find Plasma?
You see plasma very often in your daily routine. Like everyday sources of plasma are the lightning, neon signs, fire, and the most important sun. And some crucial sites include weapons and nuclear reactors.
What are the properties of Plasma?
Plasma is being produced by heating; it is the highest state of matter. It is the collection of neutral particles, positive ions, and free-moving electrons. It has no volume and shape, can be related to gas, but is different in many ways:
• It has an electrical conductivity at very high level.
• When ions and electrons move in plasma, they produce their own magnetic and electric field.
• They need the continuous supply of energy, to produce and maintenance of their high energetic state that exists in plasma.
• Because of the highly energetic state of the particles within the plasma, they produce their own electromagnetic radiations.
What Are The Applications Of Plasma?
1. Fusion
2. Propulsion in Space
3. Photolithography
4. Plasma processing
5. Hypersonic flight
6. Understanding the astrophysical phenomena
What Is It Called When We Study Plasma?
When we study the properties of plasma i.e. what is it, how it is made, where it can be used, does it happen naturally or can we also produce it artificially, and other important factors of plasma, it is called the Plasma Physics, i.e. study of plasma.
Plasma Physics provides us with various mechanisms and help us to define the definitive states or definitions of plasma in a much elaborative way.
Plasma many a times occur naturally but it is also made artificially to be used for various purposes as mentioned above. Knowingly or unknowingly, plasma has become the part of our life, although if you ask somebody, they won’t be able to define it, but, if you give example, they’ll understand it immediately without wasting much time.