What fundamental physical feature distinguishes plasma from a standard electrically neutral gas?
Answer
The presence of free-moving negative electrons and positive ions
The defining characteristic that separates plasma from a normal gas lies in the electrical state of its constituent particles. In a standard gas, atoms or molecules move freely but remain electrically neutral, lacking any free-floating charged particles. Plasma, however, is created through ionization, where intense energy strips electrons from the atomic nuclei. This results in a conductive medium composed of free-moving negative electrons and positive ions (the nuclei). This fundamental presence of net electrical charge allows plasma to respond to and interact strongly with electric and magnetic fields, unlike neutral gas.
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