Plasma and Other States
Plasma is an ionized gas; Bose–Einstein condensates form near absolute zero.
About this topic
Plasma is a hot, ionised gas in which electrons are stripped from atoms, leaving free ions and electrons that conduct electricity and respond to magnetic fields. It is the most common state in the visible universe, found in stars, lightning, auroras, neon signs and fluorescent lamps. Other states include Bose-Einstein condensates, liquid crystals and supercritical fluids.
Plasma forms when enough energy is added to a gas to ionise it, through high temperature or strong electric fields. Because it contains charged particles it behaves differently from an ordinary gas, glowing as ions and electrons recombine. The Sun's core is plasma at about 15 million degrees Celsius where fusion takes place. At the other extreme, a Bose-Einstein condensate forms near absolute zero, when atoms merge into a single quantum state. Liquid crystals flow like liquids but have partly ordered molecules, used in LCD screens. A supercritical fluid, above the critical point, has properties of both liquid and gas, such as supercritical carbon dioxide used to decaffeinate coffee.
Applications include plasma cutting, fusion research, sterilisation and TV displays. Misconceptions are that plasma is not found in everyday life (fluorescent tubes and flames contain some), and that it is just a hot gas. Its electrical behaviour makes it a distinct state.
Key ideas
- Stars are plasma
- Lightning forms plasma
- Fourth and fifth states
Quick check
Use cases: where Plasma and Other States helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Plasma and Other States before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Plasma and Other States without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Plasma and Other States changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Plasma and Other States in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Chemistry explains medicine, food, cleaning products, fuels and building materials.
Frequently asked questions
What is Plasma and Other States?
Plasma is an ionized gas; Bose–Einstein condensates form near absolute zero.
What will I learn in Plasma and Other States?
Stars are plasma. Lightning forms plasma. Fourth and fifth states.
Is Plasma and Other States part of Chemistry?
Yes. It is one of 150 Chemistry topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Plasma and Other States lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Plasma and Other States?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.