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wirefree
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If every thing is either 'solid', 'liquid' or 'gas' then what is fire?
wirefree
wirefree
chroot said:First, everything is not solid, liquid, or gas. There are many other forms of matter, such a plasma.
Danger said:Einstein-Bose condensates, degenerate matter (such as in a neutron star)... but I'm not sure if they're really considered 'states' in the official sense of the term.
chroot said:First, everything is not solid, liquid, or gas. There are many other forms of matter, such a plasma. The flame you see is, in fact, a partial plasma. It's composed of gas atoms, some of which have electrons stripped from them. The recombination of these free electrons with the atoms is what produces the visible light.
- Warren
The 4th state of matter is called plasma. It is a highly energized state of matter that is formed when gas is heated to extremely high temperatures or exposed to strong electromagnetic fields.
Plasma and gas are both made up of atoms and molecules, but in plasma, the atoms and molecules are highly ionized, meaning they have lost or gained electrons. This gives plasma unique properties, such as the ability to conduct electricity and respond to magnetic fields.
Plasma can be found in nature in the form of lightning, the sun, and other stars. It is also created during certain natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions and lightning strikes.
Plasma has many important technological applications, including in plasma televisions, fluorescent lights, and fusion energy research. It is also used in industrial processes such as cutting, welding, and etching.
Plasma can be dangerous if not handled properly, as it is highly reactive and can cause burns and damage to cells. However, in controlled environments and applications, plasma is not typically harmful to humans.