We explain what the plasma state is and some of its properties. Also, the types of plasma that exist and examples.
What is the plasma state or plasma?
“Plasma” is called a state of aggregation of matter that can be understood as an ionized gas that is, composed of atoms from which electrons have been removed or added and, therefore, have a fixed electrical charge (anions (-) and cations (+)). This makes plasma an excellent transmitter of electricity.
On the other hand, plasma particles interact very strongly with electromagnetic fields. Because plasma has its own characteristics (that do not correspond to solids, gases, or liquids), it is said to be the fourth state of matter.
Plasma is not a common state in everyday life. It can be obtained through a process of ionization of gases (sometimes as simple as heating them to make their particles vibrate faster). It can also be obtained by magnetization or by applying electricity, in addition to other artificial processes.
Plasma can be made to return to a gaseous state through any deionization process, for example, removing heat from the substance and allowing its particles to recover their lost or gained electrons, giving stability and returning to being a deionized gas.
There are two types of plasmas:
- Cold plasma. It is the plasma in which the temperature of the electrons is higher than that of heavier particles, such as ions. This type of plasma is the least harmful to living beings, as it does not cause burns.
- Hot plasma. It is the plasma whose ionized atoms become enormously hot because they are continuously colliding, which generates light and heat and, therefore, could be dangerous for living beings.
Examples of plasma state or plasma
Some examples of matter in a plasmatic state are:
- The Sun. The king star is a large ball of gases in perpetual reaction. Its reactions are very violent and its gravity attracts its particles towards its center, where they are compressed and reach the plasmatic state.
- The fire It is a set of incandescent particles that are combustible, that is, they emit light and heat during a violent oxidation reaction. Fire is considered a hot plasma.
- Plasma lamps. The so-called “plasma balls” or “plasma spheres” are decorative or recreational devices invented by Nikola Tesla in his experiments with high-frequency electricity. It is achieved with a mixture of gases at low pressure in a transparent container, into which high-frequency and high-voltage electricity is injected, achieving an electric field.
- Neon lights Neon lamps or bulbs use this element (a noble gas (Ne)) to achieve a bright and cold plasma, which is quite safe, not very reactive (since it is neon) and very functional.
- The lightning Fast and very hot (29,000 ºC), lightning is forms of plasma that arise in the atmosphere, when the gases in it are electrically charged during the hydrological cycle and thus generate a decompensation of the electromagnetic field, which through a violent discharge attempts restore the balance.
References
- “The Plasma” on Nasa.gov.
