Gases and plasmas are states of matter, that is, ways in which the components of matter are organized, distributed, and interact in a given space.
In the case of the gasesits components are scattered trying to occupy as much space as possible. the plasmaon the other hand, is partially ionized gas.
Gases Plasma Definition State of matter where atoms or molecules move freely with minimal interaction. State of matter of ionized gases. Characteristics Shape and volume determined by the container container. Atoms and/or molecules move freely. It has no definite shape or volume. Ions and electrons move freely. Composition Atoms and/or molecules Positive ions and electrons Examples Air Ionosphere, stars.
What are gases?
Gases are states of matter where the components (atoms or molecules) move freely with minimal interactions with each other.
A liquid can be changed into a gas by boiling. A solid can be changed into a gas by sublimation. An example of sublimation is when dry thread (solid carbon dioxide) turns into a gas at room temperature.
Gas characteristics
It has no definite shape or volume. A gas cools as it expands. When a gas is compressed, its temperature increases. Its density is less than liquids.
Gas Examples
The atmosphere
Our planet is surrounded by a layer of gases that we know as the atmosphere. The air we breathe is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon and other elements and compounds in a gaseous state.
Carbon dioxide in soft drinks
The characteristic bubbling of soft drinks is due to the escape of carbon dioxide.
Gases can be dissolved in a liquid, as long as they do not react with each other (that is, they form a new compound). Thus, carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide) can dissolve in drinks, giving that characteristic fizz to soft drinks when opened.
The helium of the balloons
The lower density of helium with respect to air allows the balloons to float.
When we inflate the balloons with helium, a gas that is lighter than air, they can float. This is because the density of helium is 0.18 gr/L while the density of air is 1.21 gr/L. Helium also has the advantage that it is a non-flammable gas, that is, it does not burn.
What is plasma?
Plasma is the state of matter resulting from providing energy to a gas until it ionizes. In this sense, it is made up of positively charged ions or atoms and free electrons. In the Universe, plasma is the predominant state of matter.
The creation of plasma requires energy. For example, when a gas gets hot enough that atoms start colliding with each other to the point where electrons shoot out, a plasma is formed.
British physicist William Crookes (1832-1919) first identified plasma in 1879. The term “plasma” was assigned by Irving Langmuir in 1928 while studying ionized gases.
Plasma Characteristics
It has no definite shape and no definite volume. The particles that make it up are electrically charged: electrons with a negative charge, ions with a positive charge. It conducts electricity.
plasma examples
Although plasma is the predominant state of matter in the Universe, in everyday life it occurs rather rarely. Let’s see some examples.
plasma televisions
In plasma televisions, xenon or neon atoms release photons of light when excited. Some of these photons interact with phosphor materials causing them to emit visible light. Each pixel on the screen is made up of small pixels with different phosphorous compounds for the colors blue, green and red.
Neon lights
Las Vegas is famous, among other things, for being the city of neon lights.
Neon lights are glass tubes filled with neon gas (or other gases). When electricity is passed through the signals, the electrons collide with the neon atoms, releasing their electrons and forming the Ne+ ion. The mixture of free electrons, Ne+ and neon atoms form a conductive plasma. Light is the result of electrons passing from a high energy state to a lower energy state.
plasma lamps
Plasma lamps use electricity to excite the gas and transform it into plasma.
The plasma lamp was invented by Nikola Tesla when he was experimenting with high-frequency currents in a vacuum-sealed glass tube. The bright lines that we observe correspond to the phenomenon of filamentation. The colors are the consequence of the relaxation of the excited electrons to a lower energy level.
aurora borealis
The aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere is an example of plasma.
When nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the ionosphere are excited by solar radiation, electrons are released. These emit light when they return to their lowest energy state, which are visible in the northern hemisphere as aurora borealis and in the southern hemisphere as aurora australis.
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