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What is plasma (the state of matter)?

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Quick answer

Plasma is the fourth state of matter, beyond solid, liquid, and gas. When a gas gets extremely hot or charged, its atoms split into free-floating electrons and ions, making it electrically conductive. The Sun, lightning, and neon signs are all plasma — it's actually the most common state of matter in the universe.

Key things to understand

  1. The fourth state of matter, after gas.
  2. Atoms split into free electrons and ions.
  3. It conducts electricity and responds to magnets.
  4. Stars, lightning, and neon signs are plasma.

People also ask

How is plasma different from gas?
In a gas, atoms are whole; in plasma they're ionized — stripped into charged particles — so plasma conducts electricity and glows.
Where do we see plasma?
The Sun and all stars, lightning, neon and fluorescent lights, and welding arcs.
Is plasma rare?
On Earth's surface, yes — but it's the most abundant state of matter in the universe, because stars are plasma.