Plasma - The Fourth State of matter

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Plasmas are a lot like gases, but the atoms are different because they are made up of free electrons and ions of the element. We don't find plasmas too often when we walk around. They aren't things that exist regularly on Earth.


Plasma - The fourth state
of matter

Spectacular phenomenon like the Northern Lights or Ball lightning are types of plasmas. It takes a very special environment to keep plasmas going. They are different and unique from the other states of matter.

Primarily, plasma can be found in two forms :

- Hot plasma or thermal plasma, which may be found in the atmosphere of stars or among other high energy particles.
- Cold plasma, which is dense in nature and can exist in space.


     
Ball lightening

Northern lights


  Finding the Plasma :

We won't find plasmas just anywhere. Let's understand with an example of a light bulb - Think about a fluorescent light bulb. They are not like regular light bulbs, Inside their long tube is a gas. Electricity flows through the tube when the light is turned on. The electricity acts as that special energy and charges up the gas. This charging and exciting of the atoms creates glowing plasma inside the bulb.



Another example of plasma a neon sign. Just like a fluorescent light, neon signs are glass filled with When the tubes filled with gas. When the light is turned on, the electricity flows through the tube. The electricity charges the gas, possibly neon, and creates plasma inside of the tube. The plasma glows a special colour depending on what kind of gas is inside.


Neon Bulb


The partially ionized portion of the atmosphere also contains plasma and is known as the Ionosphere.

We also see plasma when we look at stars. Stars are big balls of gases at really high temperatures. The high temperatures charge up the atoms and create plasma. Our sun is also an example of such a star.

Fluorescent lights are cold compared to really hot stars. They are still both forms of plasma, even with different physical charecteristics.



INDEX :


Ions : particles with a negative or positive charge which they develop after losing or gaining electrons

Northern Lights : A phenomenon where the solar winds collide with the particles in atmosphere to release energy. Also known as, The Aurora Borealis.

Ionosphere : Part of the Earth's Atmosphere which is ionized by solar radiations



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Bibliography:

                                                                                                                       


- Raunak Pal, Team Edixite

















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