All Photos Copyright @2005 Mary Sutherland
What is Plasma?
Plasma physics is concerned with the studies of hot, diffuse gases, where the
electrons are dissociated from the atomic nuclei. These plasmas can range in
temperature from several thousands to several hundred millions of degrees.
Lightning is a natural example of a plasma. A neon light is a man-made
example.
Broadly speaking, plasma physics research can be divided into two branches.
One is concerned with understanding natural plasma phenomena. Despite their
rarity on Earth, over 99% of the universe is in the plasma state. Earth, with
it's high density and low temperature (astrophysically speaking) is an
anomaly! Stars, including our Sun, are big balls of hot, dense plasma.
Interstellar space is filled with a dilute, relatively cold plasma. Supernova are
the plasma remnants of exploded stars. Closer to home, lightning, flames and
the aurora are examples of naturally occurring plasmas.
The other branch of plasma physics focuses on creating and understanding
plasmas for more practical application. Neon and fluorescent lights, lasers, and
welding torches are examples of useful man-made plasmas. One of the more
far-reaching applications is to use plasmas to create energy. This is the goal of
fusion energy research.
Plasma is the fourth state of matter. Like the other states of matter: solid,
liquid and gaseous, it has unique properties.
Just as most substances become solid if cooled sufficiently, any substance will
become a plasma if heated enough.
In a plasma the electrons are stripped from the atoms, creating a substance
that resembles a gas but that conducts electricity.
Over 99% of the universe exists in the plasma state. The stars, in particular,
are giant balls of plasma. The earth is an unusual place where matter exists in
the other three forms.
Plasmas occur naturally on the earth in flames, electrical discharges, lightning
bolts, the upper atmosphere (ionosphere), and the aurora borealis (northern
lights).
Plasma is the fourth state of matter. In simplified terms, plasma is a gas that
can conduct electricity. In ancient text it is referred to as 'Aether'
Every time we witness a bolt of lightning or gaze in awe at \ the Aurora
Borealis, we are observing plasma on Earth.
Plasma can also be formed when an exterior source of energy, like an
electromagnetic field, is so strong that it tears electrons free from originally
neutral atoms. The conversion of a neutral gas into a plasma can occur
extremely quickly. (The Pervasive Plasma State).
Plasmas represent a fundamental field of study with many astrophysical and
terrestrial applications. One important application is the potential use of
plasma to produce electricity from controlled nuclear fusion.
In order to create a plasma, a gas must be heated to very high temperatures.
An example of a household plasma is a fluorescent light bulb. Electric current
is used to strip the atoms of the gas inside the tube of some of their electrons
and to heat the plasma. The resulting temperature of the plasma inside
approaches 10,000 C. Yet, when you touch the bulb it feels relatively cool.
This is because there is relatively little gas inside the fluorescent bulb, so it has
a low heat capacity, despite its high temperature. As an example, consider a
pot of boiling water. The water and the steam are both at temperatures of
about 100 C. Yet you can put your hand in the steam safely, whereas you
wouldn¹t even consider plunging your hand into the water. The steam is
much less dense than the water, and has a lower heat capacity
Dusty Plasma Imaging ..
One of the most appealing aspects of dusty plasma research is that because of
the relatively large size of the dust grains (as compared to the ions and
electrons in the plasma), many of the phenomena in dusty plasma are both
macroscopic (visible to the naked eye) AND have slow time evolution (~ up
to several tens of seconds).
This allows many dusty plasma phenomena - including features like waves and
vortices - to be directly imaged.

Giant balls of plasma - non star - orb The blue glow is from Orgone plasma.
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Plasma can also be formed when an exterior source of energy, like an electromagnetic field, is so strong that it tears electrons free from originally neutral atoms.
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CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON ORGONE PLASMA - ORGONE ENERGY
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