http://www.ck12.org Chapter 2. Matter
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5073Where Is Plasma Found?
The sun and other stars consist of plasma. Plasma is also found naturally in lightning and in the northern and southern
lights. If you’ve never seen these shimmering colorful lights in the winter night sky, theFigure2.33 shows what
they can look like. Human-made plasmas are found in fluorescent lights, plasma TV screens, and plasma spheres
like the one pictured in the opening image.
FIGURE 2.33
Northern lights.Q:Besides the northern lights, where are other examples of plasma in this picture?
A:The stars consist of plasma.
Q:What properties of plasma do you think explain why this state of matter is used in artificial lights?
A:Plasma consists of charged particles called ions, so it conducts electric current and glows when electricity passes
through it. These properties explain why plasma is used in artificial lights.
Summary
- Plasma is a state of matter that lacks a fixed volume and a fixed shape and consists of charged particles called
ions. Because it consists of charged particles, plasma can conduct electricity and respond to a magnetic field. - The sun and other stars consist of plasma. Plasma is also found naturally in lightning and the northern and
southern lights. Human-made plasma is found in fluorescent lights, plasma TV screens, and plasma spheres.
Vocabulary
- plasma: State of matter lacking a fixed volume and fixed shape that contains ions so it can conduct electricity
and respond to magnetism.