The fourth state of matter, plasma, exists when what happens?
Responses
A The atoms in a gas become ionized.The atoms in a gas become ionized.
B The atoms in a gas undergo nuclear fission.The atoms in a gas undergo nuclear fission.
C The atoms in a gas lose all intermolecular attraction for one another.The atoms in a gas lose all intermolecular attraction for one another.
D When electromagnetic forces causes the atoms to stop colliding with one another.
A The atoms in a gas become ionized.
The correct answer is A - The atoms in a gas become ionized.
To arrive at this answer, we can use our understanding of plasma and its characteristics. Plasma is considered the fourth state of matter and is formed when atoms in a gas become ionized. In this state, the electrons in the atoms are stripped away, leaving behind positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons. This ionization process occurs when the atoms in a gas are exposed to high temperatures or high-energy environments, such as in stars, lightning, or certain types of experiments. As a result, the atoms lose their neutral charge and become charged particles, leading to the formation of plasma. Thus, it is the ionization of gas atoms that defines the existence of plasma.