# Plasma (DD-113)

> Plasma is often called the fourth state of matter, after solid, liquid and gas. It forms when a gas is energized enough, by heat or a strong electric field, that electrons are stripped from atoms, leaving a mix of free electrons and positive ions. Because it contains free charges, plasma conducts electricity and responds strongly to magnetic fields. It makes up most of the ordinary visible matter in the universe, including stars like the Sun. On Earth it appears in lightning, auroras, neon and fluorescent lights, and some flames. Plasma physics underpins fusion research and industrial uses such as chip etching. The footage shows plasma balls, lightning, lamps and flames.

- Department: Science
- First published: 2023-12-09
- Last updated: 2023-12-09
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/plasma/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-113-F01**: Plasma is called the fourth state of matter. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Fourth state))_
- **DD-113-F02**: Electrons are stripped from atoms, leaving ions. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Ionized))_

## Write-up

Most visible matter in the universe is plasma. Stars, lightning and neon signs are all plasma.

1. **Fourth state**: Plasma is called the fourth state of matter.
2. **Ionized**: Electrons are stripped from atoms, leaving ions.
3. **Conducts**: It conducts electricity and responds to magnetic fields.
4. **Stars**: Most visible ordinary matter, including stars, is plasma.
5. **On Earth**: Lightning and fluorescent lights contain plasma.

## Related case files

- [Making Plasma in the Microwave (DD-287)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/making-plasma-in-the-microwave/): I linked a hands-on way plasma forms

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Certain types of flames': only the hottest parts of some flames are weakly ionized, so I'd call ordinary flames borderline.

## Video: Plasma: Most Visible Matter in the Universe Is Plasma

- Duration: 42.8 s · Published: 2023-12-09
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0qCWJztWcc.mp4

### Transcript

Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter. DID YOU KNOW? While most people are familiar with the three common states of matter, solid, liquid, and gas, plasma represents a unique and less commonly encountered state. Plasma is essentially a hot ionized gas where the electrons have been stripped from resulting in a mix of free electrons and positively charged ions. Due to its high energy state, plasma exhibits unique properties such as the ability to conduct electricity and respond to magnetic fields. Plasma is abundant in the universe, making up the majority of visible matter in stars, including our sun. Lightning, fluorescent lights, and certain types of flames are examples of plasma here on earth. Studying and harnessing of plasma is crucial in fields such as astrophysics, fusion research, and plasma technology applications. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What is plasma often called?**  
A: After solid, liquid and gas. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Fourth state) · Wikipedia: Plasma (physics))_

**Q: What happens to atoms in plasma?**  
A: Leaving ions. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Ionized) · Wikipedia: Plasma (physics))_

**Q: What can plasma conduct?**  
A: It has free charges. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Conducts) · Wikipedia: Plasma (physics))_

**Q: Which of these is plasma?**  
A: Stars are plasma. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Stars) · Wikipedia: Plasma (physics))_

**Q: Which Earth example contains plasma?**  
A: Also neon lights. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (On Earth) · Wikipedia: Plasma (physics))_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Plasma (physics)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_%28physics%29)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Plasma." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-113, last updated Dec 9, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/plasma/