Take the 2-minute tour ×

Ok, so not that 'where on earth', like literally - 'Where on Earth'.

Where on Earth, can you find matter in the 4th state, i.e. the plasma state?

share|improve this question
Not the blood bank (unless they happen to have a neon sign). –  Keith Thompson Oct 2 '12 at 5:36

6 Answers 6

up vote 7 down vote accepted

Plasmas are a common part of the world we live in. The definition of plasma allows them to exist within an environment consisting mostly of bound atoms.

A variety of human technology creates plasmas. The type I hear plasma researchers reference most is a simple RF Plasma. This is perhaps the most direct way to use electricity to shake off the electrons from their atoms within a confined volume by using fast oscillating electromagnetic fields.

Nature also creates plasma. An Aurora is certainly included. Many less "exotic" plasma states are much more common. A fire has a low population of the ionized species, but is still a plasma. From the Wikipedia plasma article:

types of plasmas

share|improve this answer

See Wikipedia for a list of available plasmas over there..! Or have a look below for the chart which shows variation of temperature and electron density in different plasmas..!


A quick Googling would've provided the answer. Common examples include

  • Lightning..!
  • The Sun (from Core to Corona)
  • Fluorescent Lights and Neon Signs
  • Nebulae (Luminous Clouds in Space)
  • The Solar Wind
  • Primordial Fusion during the evolution of the Universe
  • Magnetic Confinement Fusion Plasmas
  • Inertially Confined Fusion Plasmas
  • Flames as Plasmas
  • Auroras (Northern & Southern Lights)
  • Interstellar Space (It's not empty... It's a plasma)
  • Quasars, Radiogalaxies, and Galaxies (Emit plasma radiation and microwaves)
  • Large Scale Structures of Galaxies (Filamentary and magnetized..!)
  • Dense Solid State Matter (When shocked by nuclear explosion or earthquakes which emit both visible light and radio waves)
share|improve this answer

Naturally ? Probably lightning

share|improve this answer

Lightning, Arcing (Between electrodes or in high voltage power line), The every CFL lamp that you see around, Plasma TV, Halogen Lightning. Aurora, and I am sure i am missing few others.

share|improve this answer

Best example of plasma on earth is lightning. It's, natural. plasma exists at high temperatures. Those temperatures don't usually exist here. But, they do for a brief second in a bolt of lightning

  • Sun
  • Solar wind
  • Auroras
  • Nebulae
  • Fluorescent lights
  • Neon signs
share|improve this answer

Electric is a type of plasma.Lightning is electric.Lamps and bulbs are lighten up by electric.All are plasmas

share|improve this answer
It is very unclear what you talk about. Please expand or at least clarify. –  Neuneck Oct 16 '13 at 12:09
There is, perhaps, room for this to be correct if you are talking about the free electron gas in the conduction band of typical wires, but on a gross scale this is simply wrong. Needs to be either much more explicit or deleted. –  dmckee Oct 17 '13 at 16:44

protected by Qmechanic Oct 2 '14 at 14:39


Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
