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Plasmas - the Fourth State of Matter


CHARACTERISTICS OF TYPICAL PLASMAS

Plasmas consist of freely moving charged particles, i.e., electrons and ions. Formed at high temperatures when electrons are stripped from neutral atoms, plasmas are common in nature. For instance, stars are predominantly plasma. Plasmas are the "Fourth State of Matter" because of their unique physical properties, distinct from solids, liquids and gases. Plasma densities and temperatures vary widely.

Click on a plasma below to learn more about it! (Not all are available; see list below.)
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