What exactly is plasma?

Question

I've heard about plasma power sources from video games like Doom and Turok, and sci-fi shows like Star Trek, but what is it and how does it work? Is there a use for it in real life?

What exactly is plasma?

I've heard about plasma power sources from video games like Doom and Turok, and sci-fi shows like Star Trek, but what is it? Does it really exist and how does it work? If it does exist, what is it used for?

Answer 1

In physics and chemistry, a plasma is typically an ionized gas, and is usually considered to be a distinct phase of matter in contrast to solids, liquids, and gases because of its unique properties. "Ionized" means that at least one electron has been dissociated from a proportion of the atoms or molecules. The free electric charges make the plasma electrically conductive so that it responds strongly to electromagnetic fields.

This fourth state of matter was first identified in a discharge tube (or Crookes tube), and so described by Sir William Crookes in 1879 (he called it "radiant matter"). The nature of the Crookes tube "cathode ray" matter was subsequently identified by British physicist Sir J.J. Thomson in 1897, and dubbed "plasma" by Irving Langmuir in 1928 , perhaps because it reminded him of a blood plasma .

Answer 2

What Exactly Is Plasma

Answer 3

In physics and chemistry, plasma is a partly ionized gas, wherein a definite share of electrons are unfastened somewhat than being certain to an atom or molecule. the flexibility of the advantageous and destructive expenses to go extremely independently makes the plasma electrically conductive so as that it responds strongly to electromagnetic fields. Plasma hence has residences rather in assessment to those of solids, drinks or gases and is seen to be a definite state of remember. Plasma regularly takes the variety of impartial gas-like clouds, as seen, to illustrate, contained while it comes to stars.

Answer 4

Plasma is the fourth state of matter. It is basically a gas so superheated that it becomes magnetic and behaves (sort of) like a liquid. It occurs in the sun, possibly at the Earth's core and in laboratories only. Video games and sci-fi series like to take scientific terms and make up their own uses for them-plasma couldn't be used as an energy source since it takes so much energy to produce.

Answer 5

Most people know plasma TVs as those unbelievably thin display monitors that can be hung on your wall just like pieces of video art. (To give you an idea of the space-saving advantages of plasma technology, consider this: A 40-inch TV may be two feet deep and weigh upwards of 150 pounds, while the same size plasma display might have a depth of, say, 6 inches and weigh half as much.) But this isn't your average slimmed-down television set. The display itself consists of thousands of "cells," which are individual glass compartments injected with neon-xenon gas suspended in plasma-hence the "plasma" appellation. These cells are the basic elements comprising the picture you see on your TV screen. When the gases are electrically charged, they strike red, green, and blue phosphors. Just like that, an image (which is nothing more than the sum of the aforementioned colored elements, commonly known as "pixels") is born.

Answer 6

It is the 4 state of matter which is an ionized gas

you can find plasma in the Sun and also in fluorescent lights, PLASMA TVs, etc.

Answer 7

Plasma is intensely heated gas under pressure and when controlled one use it to cut metals. As a welder we use every day at work

Answer 8

It is an ionized gas .
search at www.wikipedia.com