Question

What are 2 ways plasma is different that gases? Give an example of a plasma.

Answer 1

Plasma differs from gases in several key ways:

1. **Ionization**: In a plasma, a significant portion of the gas particles are ionized, meaning that they have lost or gained electrons and thus carry an electric charge. This ionization allows plasmas to conduct electricity, which is not a property of neutral gases. In contrast, gases consist of neutral atoms or molecules without free charges.

2. **Response to Magnetic and Electric Fields**: Due to the presence of charged particles, plasma is influenced by magnetic and electric fields. This allows for phenomena such as confinement in plasma devices (like fusion reactors) and the creation of plasmas in devices like neon lights. Gases, on the other hand, do not respond in the same way to electric or magnetic fields.

An example of a plasma is the ionized gas found in stars, including our Sun. The Sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium in a plasma state due to the extreme temperatures and pressures that strip electrons from atoms, creating a hot, ionized gas.