I've heard that there is a fourth state of matter (after gas, solid, and liquid) called plasma. What is it and what are some examples?
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tiggerificpink
ANSWERS: 2
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The plasma state is a gas that is heated to the point where it begins to release electrons. Although plasma occurs naturally on the sun and other stars, it is artificially produced in fluorescent lights and plasma displays by electrically charging a gas in order to release ultraviolet light.
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Plasma is a state of matter which contains the most kinetic (moving) energy in comparison the the three more common states. Plasma is so hot that scientists have had great difficulty studying it. It is so hot that it can basically melt through any man-made container in which it is placed. Because of this, scientists are trying to contain it within containers using magnets. The law of electric charges/magnetic poles states that like charges/poles repel, and in accordance, the plasma would not touch the actual container itself. Plasma propulsion is something NASA is looking at, and some feel that will be the way to power space shuttles more efficiently to places like Mars within the next 10-12 years.
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