Changes

Jump to navigation Jump to search
7 bytes removed ,  14:28, December 9, 2008
no edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:  
'''Plasma''' is a state of matter (akin to [[solid]], [[liquid]] and [[gas]]) where the matter has become ionized, or the [[electron]]s stripped from the atoms. Therefore, a plasma consists of both negatively charged electrons, and positively charged [[ion]]s.  
 
'''Plasma''' is a state of matter (akin to [[solid]], [[liquid]] and [[gas]]) where the matter has become ionized, or the [[electron]]s stripped from the atoms. Therefore, a plasma consists of both negatively charged electrons, and positively charged [[ion]]s.  
   −
Plasmas found on earth include fire and electrical arcs. The sun, stars and interstellar clouds consist almost mainly of this form of matter.
+
Plasmas found on earth include fire and electrical arcs. The sun, stars and interstellar clouds consist mainly of this form of matter.
    
Like a gas, in a plasma the constituents are not physically constrained in position by each other, and will expand to fill the available space. However, the free ions and electrons may be controlled using electric and magnetic fields. Sustained magnetic confinement of hot plasmas must be achieved in order to harness [[nuclear fusion]] as a power source.
 
Like a gas, in a plasma the constituents are not physically constrained in position by each other, and will expand to fill the available space. However, the free ions and electrons may be controlled using electric and magnetic fields. Sustained magnetic confinement of hot plasmas must be achieved in order to harness [[nuclear fusion]] as a power source.
    
[[category:physics]]
 
[[category:physics]]
10

edits

Navigation menu