Can plasma be made here on earth?

Question

We're learning about the different phases of matter and my science teacher was telling us that Plasma was the most rare phase on earth but the most common in the universe. I was just wondering if it could actually be made here on earth and how. Well, im not actually wondering...it's a question i have to answer for homework

That's what i was thinking. But something tells me the answer's a little more complicated then that. Only judging from the fact that my science teacher couldn't stop stressing the fact that only Princeton Scientists can ACTUALLY make plasma

Wow. haha. If i tell him to stick that up his pipe and smoke it then he'll probably make plasma with fire and throw me in it. So...that's not an option =)

Answer 1

Yes. And if you want to impress your teacher, learn something about plasma, and write a paper about it. Include a list of ways a person would commonly encounter a plasma. To really impress the teacher, estimate the number of atomic nuclei in a plasma state in each of those situations on earth, and compare it to the number of hydrogen nuclei in a plasma state in the universe. It will take a little work and thought, but it's well worth it! I promise!

PS: I had an 8th grade science teacher who was the worst teacher I ever had. The only good thing he ever did was tell a group of 3 good students that the Lorentz contraction wasn't real. When we brought him evidence and references, he smiled knowingly.

Answer 2

Yes it can be made on earth.

Just heat something up to a really high temperature, and the electrons will come off of an atom eventually and you get ... plasma!

Or, pass lots of electric current on something, and it will lose its electrons.

True, plasma is the most common state in the universe. The mass majority of hydrogen atoms (about >99%) have lost their electron (and the majority of the universe's matter) is hydrogen.

Answer 3

Plasma can be made on Earth (and in a lot more places than just a Princeton laboratory, for goodness sakes). Just think about plasma TVs, fluorescent lamps, neon signs. Those all involve plasma and are quite common. The website I linked includes many more examples.

Answer 4

The reason why plasma televisons are called plasma televisions is because they function by using a plasma to create the picture. So not only can a plasma be made on earth, there migth be plasma in your house!

Answer 5

An electric arc welder drives a huge current across a narrow juncture where two pieces of metal touch, and that creates a temperature high enough to create a plasma.

EDIT: Remember teachers are not always right, sometimes they can be fools.

Answer 6

I'm a regular blood donor and I donate plasma all the time. So my body must be making plasma. Tell your teacher to put that in his/her crack pipe and smoke it.

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

It can't be found naturally on earth... but it can be created under intense pressure and heat. Alot of research is being done in this area for fusion power.