Plasma Fourth State of Matter

In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar

to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized.
The basic premise is that heating a gas dissociates
its molecular bonds, rendering it into its constituent atoms.
Further heating leads to ionization (a loss of electrons),
turning it into a plasma: containing charged particles,
positive ions and negative electrons.
The presence of a nonnegligible number of charge
carriers ma!es the plasma electrically conductive so that it
responds strongly to electromagnetic fields. "lasma,
therefore, has properties #uite unli!e those
of solids, li#uids, or gases and is considered a distinct state
of matter. $i!e gas, plasma does not have a definite shape
or a definite volume unless enclosed in a container% unli!e
gas, under the influence of a magnetic field, it may form
structures such as filaments, beams and double layers.
&ome common plasmas are stars and neon signs.
Generation of artificial plasma
'ust li!e the many uses of plasma, there are several means
for its generation, however, one principle is common to all
of them: there must be energy input to produce and sustain
it. For this case, plasma is generated when an electrical
current is applied across a dielectric gas or fluid (an
electrically nonconducting material) as can be seen in the
image below, which shows a discharge tube as a simple
e(ample ()* used for simplicity).
Plasma Cutting :
"lasma cutting is a process that is used to cut steel and
other metals of different thic!nesses (or sometimes other
materials) using a plasma torch. In this process, an inert gas
(in some units, compressed air) is blown at high speed out
of a nozzle% at the same time an electrical arc is formed
through that gas from the nozzle to the surface being cut,
turning some of that gas to plasma. The plasma is
sufficiently hot to melt the metal being cut and moves
sufficiently fast to blow molten metal away from the cut.
"lasma cutters wor! by sending an electric arc through a
gas that is passing through a constricted opening. The gas
can be shop air, nitrogen, argon, o(ygen. etc.
This elevates the temperature of the gas to the point that it
enters a +th state of matter. ,e all are familiar with the first
three: i.e., solid, li#uid, and gas. &cientists call this
additional state plasma. -s the metal being cut is part of the
circuit, the electrical conductivity of the plasma causes the
arc to transfer to the wor!.
The restricted opening (nozzle) the gas passes through
causes it to s#eeze by at a high speed, li!e air passing
through a venturi in a carburetor. This high speed gas cuts
through the molten metal. The gas is also directed around
the perimeter of the cutting area to shield the cut.
In many of today.s better plasma cutters, a pilot arc
between the electrode and nozzle is used to ionize the gas
and initially generate the plasma prior to the arc transfer
(&ee Figure /elow).