Plasma

Plasma

Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, alongside solids, liquids, and gases. Unlike the other three states, plasma is not as commonly encountered in everyday life, as it requires specific conditions to exist. Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter because it has distinct properties that set it apart from solids, liquids, and gases. Here are some key features and properties of plasma:

Ionization:
Plasma is formed when a gas is heated to extremely high temperatures or subjected to a strong electromagnetic field. This process causes the gas atoms to lose electrons, creating a mixture of positively charged ions and free electrons.

High Energy:
Plasma is characterized by high energy levels. The high temperatures and ionization processes lead to the particles having a significant amount of kinetic energy.
Due to its high energy, plasma can conduct electricity and respond to electromagnetic fields.

Electrically Conductive:
Plasma is an excellent conductor of electricity because it contains free electrons and positive ions. This property is exploited in technologies such as plasma TVs, fluorescent lights, and certain types of torches.

Lack of Fixed Shape or Volume:
Similar to gases, plasmas do not have a fixed shape or volume. They expand to fill the space available to them.
Plasmas are often found in high-temperature environments, such as stars, where they make up a significant portion of the visible matter in the universe.

Emission of Light:
Plasmas can emit light, and this property is harnessed in technologies like neon signs and fluorescent lights. The color of the light emitted depends on the types of ions present in the plasma.

Existence in Stars:
The sun, like other stars, is composed of plasma. The extremely high temperatures and pressures in the sun's core cause hydrogen atoms to undergo nuclear fusion, creating a plasma state.
 

Magnetic Fields:
Plasmas can interact with magnetic fields. Magnetic confinement is used in controlled nuclear fusion experiments where plasma is heated to extremely high temperatures to induce fusion reactions.

Diverse Applications:
Plasma finds applications in various fields, including materials processing, space propulsion, and medical technologies. Plasma cutting and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) are examples of industrial applications.

Astronomical Significance:
Plasma is abundant in the universe and plays a crucial role in the formation and behavior of celestial bodies. Understanding plasma physics is essential for studying phenomena like solar flares and the behavior of interstellar matter.
In summary, plasma is a unique state of matter with properties that make it distinct from solids, liquids, and gases. It is characterized by high energy levels, electrical conductivity, and the presence of charged particles. While not as commonly encountered on Earth, plasma is abundant in the universe and has important applications in various scientific and technological fields.

Bose-Einstein Condensate

BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATE: 
    It is the fifth state of matter. 
    Bose-Einstein condensate is a super fluid phase formed by atoms, cooled very near to absolute zero temperature. It is opposite to plasma state as it occurs at very low temperature.
    Ex:  First condensate was produced by Rubidium  atoms (Rb) cooling to 170 nanokelvin.