Plasma
Plasma is a concentration of charged particles in the form of ions(positively charged particles) or electrons(negatively charged particles).They are the main
material that makes up the Sun and other stars.You can also artificially
create plasma by subjecting energy(most commonly in the form of electricity)
to a very strong magnetic field. Artificial plasma is commonly in the form of
electricity and is used for signs. In nature it most commonly appears in the
form of lightning and aurora borealis(northern lights).Plasma(in the form of
lightning) can reach temperatures of 30000 kelvin, or 53540.33 degrees Fahrenheit.(1 kelvin is -457.87 Fahrenheit. The formula to convert from
kelvin to Fahrenheit is (1K-273.15)x 9/5 +32= -457.9ยบF.)
Some experiments with plasma have led to the Jacob’s Ladder(two metal wires leading away from each other both electrified with a power source, resulting in
a bridge of plasma traveling upwards attached to both wires. Note: Do not confuse the Jacob’s Ladder with the horror movie Jacob’s Ladder.
The Jacob’s Ladder in use.
Plasma can be very dangerous and could give you such an electric shock that you could have spasms(uncontrollable twitching), heart attack, serious burns, and potentially death. If you are working with plasma be sure to not touch the plasma itself and shut the power source of the plasma down before doing maintenance on the equipment.
Some scientists have worked with plasma to make prototype weapons:
1.MARAUDER. This weapon is an experimental plasma-fire weapon,
something similar to a railgun. How it works is: there is a set of big magnetic rings
that direct and propel plasmic energy into a projectile and fired at a target.
In 1993 in the Phillips Laboratory, researchers succeeded in accelerating
1-2 milligrams of plasma. The objective(success) would be to be able to fire rings
of plasma and balls of lightning. These projectiles(the things shot out) would be able to cause extreme thermal and mechanical shock, and making a wave of electromagnetic radiation that could render(turn) the mechanics in any vehicle
useless.
2. Shiva Star. This was a testbed for the MARAUDER. It had 6 “arms” all pointing energy at its very center, which would then use the energy to make a ball of plasma. This is technically not a weapon, but it inspired other prototypes in the years to come.
Facts: Plasma is one of the four fundamental stages of matter, and the others were solid, liquid, and gas.
Plasma is also a yellowish body fluid and a component of blood
and makes up 55% of the body’s total blood volume.
Chalcedony(a clear grayish mineral made of silica and quartz)
is also called plasma.
This is a page on plasma made by me.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma
google.com Thanks to these websites,
I can make this page. Thank you to Waikiki Elementary
School for helping me learn.
The End. (Definitely not a link, you hear me? This is NOT a link!)
If you went to all this trouble to scroll down here, you’ll find this.
Bird Size Comparison