• Question: Some people say that we have 4 states of matter, Plasma being the fourth, what do you believe? Also if it is a state of matter why do you think that we are told that there are only three, solid liquid and gas, is it because it would confuse children?

    Asked by xx.caitlin.xx to David, Eva, Kate, Nicholas, Rachel on 14 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Nicholas Pearce

      Nicholas Pearce answered on 14 Nov 2015:

      Hey,

      I believe plasma exists – it’s even possible to make it yourself in a microwave, but I’d be very careful before trying it at home, or just watch these guys do it:

      As far as what you see goes, it’s easy to say there are just solids liquids and gases, but really there are many more states of matter. Think of toothpaste or mayonnaise – they are called colloids and are an ‘in between’ state formed by mixing two normal forms. If you heat a liquid under enough pressure that it can’t become a gas, eventually you get a supercritical fluid, another state of matter.

      I had a look at the current list and it’s now so long I think everyone would get confused, I counted 31 states!! I can’t blame anyone for saying there’s only 3.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_of_matter

    • Photo: David Nunan

      David Nunan answered on 17 Nov 2015:

      Hi,

      Lightening is extremely hot plasma, basically energized gas (so it actually is made of atoms), and electrons in the form of electricity.

      I think you’re right when you say it would confuse children if we went through the list of different states of matter. This is something you could study at university and working as a scientist if you are interested 😉

Comments