Explore the fourth state of matter that makes up 99% of the visible universe
Part of Build A Star: The Nuclear Fusion Revolution
Educational content slides
You learned about three states of matter in elementary school:
Solid → Liquid → Gas
But there's a fourth: Plasma
Heat gas hot enough (~10,000 K), and electrons rip free from atoms. You get a soup of ions (positive) and free electrons (negative).
Mind-blowing fact: 99% of the visible universe is plasma—stars, nebulae, the space between stars.
We live in the rare 1% that isn't plasma.
Test your understanding with this quiz.
What happens to atoms when you heat them to 10,000+ Kelvin?
Complete this exercise and get AI-powered feedback.
You're designing a fusion reactor and facing the plasma containment problem.
Think about: Plasma properties (conductivity, response to magnetic fields, energy density, temperature) and how they affect containment strategies.
Key insight: Understanding material properties at extremes is crucial for breakthrough engineering.