Plasma- 4th State of Matter

You all are aware of the first three states of matter that are Solid, Liquid and Gaseous states. PLASMA is considered as the fourth state of matter that consists of massive free electrons and positively charged particles called cations.

Plasma can easily flow and evenly fills the container and take the shape of container. Although properties of plasma and gases are similar but they are not the same thing! 

In Plasma electrons are released from their orbits around a nucleus forming new electrons and nuclei and because of the free electrons plasma easily conducts electricity. 

Discovery 

Existence of Plasma was first discovered by Sir William Crookes in 1879 using 'Crookes Tube'.

Plasma is created when a gas is either exposed to high temperature or when high voltage of electricity is passed through it in Crookes tube. The heat and electricity makes the atoms in the gas moves so quickly and collides so violently with one another that electrons are knocked from their orbits. The ionized gas mixture of consisting ions, electrons and neutral atoms is called PLASMA. This state exists at extremely high temperature. 

Applications of Plasma

• Plasma gives neons or fluorescent bulbs the glow.
• Plasma is formed during lightening strike.
• It is also present in Plasma televisions.
• Chemistry also classify fire as Plasma.
• It is also used in making semiconductors. 

Amazing facts about Plasma

》Space is not vacuum. It is actually filled with Plasma. It is the most common states of matter making up of the 99% of the universe. 

》Plasma also makes up our sun which exists in 99.85% Plasma state.

》The source of intense glow in welder's torch is an ionized arc of gas called 'Plasma'.

Can Water be converted into Plasma? 

The answer is no, it can only exist in solid, liquid and gaseous state. To become Plasma each hydrogen and oxygen atom has to break down and ionized separately, in which water is no longer water.