How is plasma different from a gas?
Responses
A plasma can be manipulated by magnetic fieldplasma can be manipulated by magnetic field
B gas can be controlled by electric fieldgas can be controlled by electric field
C gas is considered a state of matter while plasma is not
C
The correct answer is C: gas is considered a state of matter while plasma is not.
To understand the difference between plasma and gas, we need to understand what each of them is.
Gas is a state of matter where particles are spread out and move freely. It consists of atoms or molecules that are not ionized, meaning they have an equal number of protons and electrons. The interactions between gas particles are weak, and they can be compressed or expanded easily.
On the other hand, plasma is not considered a state of matter like solid, liquid, or gas. It can be thought of as an ionized gas. In plasma, some or all of the gas particles have been ionized, meaning they have lost or gained electrons and become charged. This process occurs at very high temperatures or when a strong electric field is applied. As a result, plasma contains charged particles such as positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons.
One significant difference between plasma and gas is how they respond to external forces. While a gas can be controlled by an electric field, plasma can be manipulated by a magnetic field. This is because the charged particles in the plasma interact strongly with magnetic fields. Additionally, plasma can conduct electricity due to the presence of charged particles, unlike a gas.
Therefore, the correct answer is that gas is considered a state of matter, whereas plasma is not.