PLASMA IN A NUTSHELL

Everyone knows about the three states of matter. We learn about it in

elementary school. But, there are a lot more states of matter. One of them is

plasma, the fourth state of matter. It is well known, and it is the most

abundant state of matter in the universe. I will answer a question: What is

plasma?

Plasma is the fourth state of matter, which consists of half-ionized gas,

ions, electrons, and neutral gas atoms. It is made when a noble or neutral gas

(helium, argon, neon, xenon, krypton or radon), is superheated to such high

temperatures that some electrons from those noble gas atoms detach since

atoms move so fast that electrons come loose when collisions occur, that it

changes state, and become a superheated mess of ions, ionized gas, electrons

and neutral atoms.

Plasma was discovered by Sir William Crookes in the year 1879. He gave

a speech about it on Friday, 22 August, 1879. Plasma comes from an Ancient

Greek word which means “to meld”. The term plasma was coined by Irving

Langmuir in 1928, nearly 50 years later. It was officially classified as a state of

matter in 1929.

In the universe, almost 99% of visible known matter, is plasma. Plasma is

so abundant in the universe that the earth is full of plasma in its core. Plasma is

mainly yellow in color, but variations of hot blue plasma and red plasma are

also seen. Stars in the night sky, the sun (which is also a star) and nebulas in

the midst of galaxies are some examples of plasma. It was also the first ever

state of matter in the universe, way before solids, liquids and gases ever

existed.

Sometimes, plasma energy can be converted into electrical energy,

without the use of mechanical energy. In this way, plasma can generate

electricity, on large scale. Also, it is very efficient. It reduces the loss of

electricity by a lot, and can be very useful to humans and human nature. The

most common form of plasma is quite easy to make. It requires flint and stone,

and some dry grass. Yes, I am talking about fire. When wood is heated, it

quickly changes into gas, and this gas changes into plasma on superheating.

Plasma can prove very efficient for clean energy and electricity use.

Sources and references used-

Thierry Corp- History of Plasma

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory- Definition and What plasma is

MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center- Facts on plasma

ieee.org- Uses of Plasma

UCAR Center for Science Education- How to make plasma.

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