PLASMA

Matter can appear in four different states. The particles setting up matter have the more
possibilities to move the higher the temperature is. In solid-state matter atoms and molecules
have the least freedom to move. In liquid state the freedom to move is a little more extensive. In
gas, atoms and molecules can move independently but the electrons are obeying the laws of
nuclear physics bound to their atoms. In the plasmatic state the electrons are completely
separate from the atoms and therefore have entire freedom of movement. If atoms or molecules
have lost one or more electrons they carry positive charge outwardly, in this case they become
positive ions. Plasma is therefore considered as gas showing collective behavior and consisting
of particles which carry positive and negative charges in the extent that the overall charge
comes to zero.so we can say that ;
Plasma is electrically neutral to the outside, if the number of positive and negative charges equals
in a sufficiently large volume and for a sufficiently long interval of time. This balance is referred
to as quasineutrality.
Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, the others being solid, liquid, and gas.
A plasma has properties which are unlike those of the other states.

Fig: The General Progression of Phase Changes

Most matter in the universe is in the plasma state. Here are a few specific examples of plasmas:

Gases in discharge tubes (fluorescent lamps and neon signs)

Welding arcs
Lightning
Auroras
The upper atmosphere (the ionosphere)
Stars and the Sun
the solar wind
interstellar gas clouds
The fireball made by a nuclear weapon
Comet tails