The fourth state of matter, plasma, can actually be created at home. Plasma is one of the states of matter other than solid, liquid, and gas. A plasma can be created by heating a gas until it ionizes by using microwave. All we need to have is a grape, a knife, a glass, and a microwave. Cut the grape into half, then take one of the half pieces and slice it in half again, leaving the two quarters connected by the skin. Put the grape inside the microwave, and cover the grape by an upturned glass and turn the microwave on. Then step back and watch. We will see a beam of bright light climb up from the chopped grape. When we see the light, we are actually seeing a very small amount of plasma. Grape juice is rich in ions, so it's a good medium to observe plasma.
I find this article interesting because I always imagined that plasma is a kind of high-technology matter, and it can only be observed in laboratory. But after reading this article I realized that plasma is also a form of matter which really exists in the world I live, just like all the solids, liquids, and gas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)
http://www.cracked.com/article_20707_7-mind-blowing-chemical-reactions-you-wont-believe-are-real.html
Submitted by Wae Nakayama
This is very cool. I didn't know that the conditions needed to have the phase change into plasma could be created in a kitchen! When we do so much work with solids, liquids, and gases, it is easy to forget that plasma is also present in the world.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea you could do something like this at home. I think I may try it over break, do you know if its safe? Allison just like you're saying, I forgot plasma is also present and was shocked I had since we've done so much work with solids,liquids, and gasses.
ReplyDeletePerley Provost