Where Do Electrons Go in the Plasma State of Stars?

In summary, when hydrogen atoms are converted to plasma in stars, the free electrons become a part of the plasma and can be found in the solar wind, which can have various effects on Earth and other celestial bodies.
  • #1
shivakumar06
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dear sir,
when hydrogen atom is converted to plasma state, the free electron must be released. i am curious to know where does this electron go in case of plasma in stars.
thank you.
 
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  • #2
It doesn't really go anywhere, it just becomes a free electron bouncing around in the plasma like all the free nucleons. The average charge of the plasma is still 0.
 
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  • #3
Our own Sun is a star. In this case, electrons accelerate away from the Sun in the solar wind out to great distances - twice the orbit of Pluto - to the edge of the heliosphere! In powerful discharges known as Coronal Mass Ejections, huge quantities of electrons may impact Earth and cause harmful events such as disruption of radio and power grids.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_wind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronal_mass_ejection
The solar wind is a stream of plasma released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun. It consists of mostly electrons and protons with energies usually between 1.5 and 10 keV. The stream of particles varies in density, temperature, and speed over time and over solar longitude. These particles can escape the Sun's gravity because of their high energy, from the high temperature of the corona and magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic phenomena in it.

The solar wind flows outward supersonically to great distances, filling a region known as the heliosphere, an enormous bubble-like volume surrounded by the interstellar medium. Other related phenomena include the aurora (Northern and Southern lights), the plasma tails of comets that always point away from the Sun, and geomagnetic storms that can change the direction of magnetic field lines and create strong currents in power grids on Earth.
 
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FAQ: Where Do Electrons Go in the Plasma State of Stars?

What is a free electron?

A free electron is an electron that is not bound to an atom or molecule, and is able to move freely through a material or space.

How are free electrons created?

Free electrons can be created through various processes such as thermal excitation, photoemission, or ionization. In thermal excitation, electrons gain enough energy from heat to break free from their atomic bonds. In photoemission, electrons are released from a material when it is struck by photons. In ionization, electrons are removed from an atom or molecule through the addition or removal of energy.

What is a plasma state?

A plasma state is a state of matter in which a gas is ionized and contains free electrons and positively charged ions. This results in a highly conductive and energetic medium that can exhibit unique properties such as the ability to generate electromagnetic fields and emit light.

How do free electrons and plasma states impact materials and technologies?

Free electrons and plasma states play a crucial role in many materials and technologies. For example, in metals, free electrons are responsible for their high electrical conductivity. In plasma-based technologies such as plasma TVs and fusion reactors, the presence of free electrons is essential for their functioning.

What are some current areas of research related to free electrons and plasma states?

Some current areas of research include studying the properties of plasmas to improve fusion energy production, using plasma for advanced medical treatments, and exploring the potential of plasma-based propulsion systems for spacecraft. Additionally, there is ongoing research on the behavior of free electrons in materials, such as in graphene, and their potential applications in electronics and computing.

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