plasma - the 4th state of matter

Plasma in the Educational Context

The Physics and the Metaphysics of the “4th State of Matter”

What is plasma?

• S: (n) plasma (physical chemistry) a fourth state of matter distinct from solid or liquid or gas and present in stars and fusion reactors; a gas becomes a plasma when it is heated until the atoms lose all their electrons, leaving a highly electrified collection of nuclei and free electrons. "particles in space exist in the form of a plasma“ WordNet Search - 3.0

A few more definitions…• In physics and chemistry, plasma is a gas in which a certain portion of the

particles are ionized. The presence of a non-negligible number of charge carriers makes the plasma electrically conductive so that it responds strongly to electromagnetic fields. Wikipedia

• Unorganized material; elementary matter. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

• Plasma consists of a gas heated to sufficiently high temperatures that the atoms ionize . The properties of the gas are controlled by electromagnetic forces among constituent ions and electrons , which results in a different type of behavior. Plasma is often considered the fourth state of matter (besides solid, liquid, and gas). Most of the matter in the Universe is in the plasma state.

Solar Physics Glossary

4 States of Matter

Solid Liquid Gas Plasma (which may make up 99.99 % of the

entire Universe)

1st State of Matter?

• Technically, plasma should be called the 1st state of matter, as it is what all the other states arise from.

• Plasma as a concept is not taught in schools which is odd as it comprises much of our world. Most people have no idea what it is.

• What are some examples of plasmas?

Our Sun

The Solar wind

Interstellar and Interplanetary Space

Space is not an empty vacuum. It is full of plasma, which conducts waves of electricity and sound.

Northern lights

Tesla Globes or Plasma Balls

Other plasmas

Non thermal or cold plasmas

• Stable at cooler temperatures• Being used in medicine and food packing• Acts as a sterilizing agent

Plasma is everywhere!

• The Hubble telescope and other space probes have been providing us with lots of information about plasma in the last decade.

• Plasma can be easily produced in a lab, and its behavior is scalable

• Numerous technologies make use of plasma• People have known about it for over 130 years!

Characteristics of plasma

• Forms filaments, cells, sheaths• High intensity electric current flowing through

plasma takes on spiral shape (Birkeland Current)• Forms double layer sheaths at outer boundaries

of plasmas of different characters– high electric charge between double layers

• Forms cells of different voltages, temperatures, density and chemical properties

Plasma Operation Modes

• Dark Current Mode- ionospheres (plasma sheaths) of planets – strength of current is extremely low –

does not usually emit light

• Normal Glow Mode – stronger electric current –entire plasma glows – neon signs, auroras, comet tails, sun’s corona

• Arc Mode- very strong current- forms twisting filaments- electric welders, lightning, sparks, sun’s photosphere

• The stronger the current, the brighter the plasma

• Was the first to “discover” plasma in 1879, in a Crookes Tube• Called it “radiant matter”

Sir William Crookes

Crooke’s Tube

Kristian Birkeland

• Took trips to the North Pole where he studied auroras made theories about electric currents and plasma carried from sun to earth• His theories were ridiculed in his time• Birkeland currents named after him

• Coined the term plasma because it reminded him of blood plasma (1927)• Recognized the wave forms in plasma-

called Langmuir waves• Developed Langmuir probe for exploring properties

of plasmas• Made first plasma welder

Irving Langmuir

Langmuir probe

• Played a central role in the development of modern plasma physics

•Won Nobel prize in 1970 for his work with plasmas

• Regarded as a person with unorthodox views – work was met with resistance from peers

Hannes Alfven

Present Day Plasma Proponents

• Wal Thornhill• Co-Author “The Electric

Universe”• Most well known

current proponent of Electric Universe theory

• Donald Scott• Author of “The Electric

Sky”• Distinguished electrics

professor who is also an amateur astronomer-

Electric Universe Theory (EU)

• Maintains modern astrophysics and cosmology leaves out the Electric aspect of plasma – for example, NASA refers to plasma as “hot gas” in press releases and public offerings

• Says electricity, not gravity, is the defining force of the Universe

• EU has no need for Black Holes, The Big Bang, Dark Matter or Dark Energy to explain the behavior of galaxies

• EU is creating a grassroots revolution in modern cosmology- still academically rejected.

Two views of our Sun

Electric Sun• Dynamic electric plasma

powered by unlimited universal power source, fed by intergalactic Birkeland currents

• “Solar Wind” is a stream of electricity from positively charged Sun to negatively charged Earth

Thermonuclear sun• Thermonuclear furnace of

hot gas burning itself out• Completely disconnected

from the rest of the galaxy/universe

• Solar Wind is a hot gas stream flowing around earth

Plasma connects

“From the smallest particle to the largest galactic formation, a web of electrical circuitry connects and unifies all of nature, organizing galaxies, energizing stars, giving birth to planets and, on our own world, controlling weather and animating biological organisms. There are no isolated islands in an electric universe”.

• David Talbott and Wallace Thornhill Thunderbolts of the Gods

Plasma Interacts

Terrestrial Plasmas

• Telluric currents are electrical currents in the earth's surface- across land and water- caused by the same phenomenon that generates the Northern Lights.

• These are scientifically mapped thousands of miles long electrical currents flowing though continents. They were used to naturally power the old Telegraph System in the USA with no need for man- made power supplies

• Terrestrial Birkeland currents?• Same thing as dragon lines/ley lines? This is a

metaphysical concept• Same thing as acupuncture meridians?

Could everything be condensed plasma?

Metaphysics of plasma

Chakras, Meridians, Nadis

Electrical Disconnection

• These concepts of human subtle energy flow are considered pseudoscience or metaphysics because allegedly they have not been successfully proven or measured.

• As a consequence we are divorced of our awareness of ourselves as electrical beings alive in an electrical, connected universe.

What is the consequence of the general population not knowing about plasma?

• Life is perceived as chaotic, cold and meaningless. “we’re a rock in a vacuum spinning through nothingness, the consequence of impersonal cosmic forces”.

• People have a yearning for a sense of connection- in an environment where everything is perceived as separate and separated, including bodies in space.

Newtonian/Cartesian Educational Framework

• Billiard Ball/Clockwork/Mechanistic Universe that is winding down• Mind is separate from body, man is separate from

nature, god, each other• Discrete particles exist• Individuals existing in vacuum• Self sufficient individuals in competition with

each other for limited resources and wealth• Values empiricism, objectivism

Physics leads the sciences

• Advances in Physics change how we see the world• The observer changes the observed. Heisenberg :

is light a wave or a particle? Both, based on our perception- presence of observer alters outcome-

• Opened door for researchers to see personal experience as valid and inevitable, less emphasis on objectivism

• Opened up education for new conversations

Some things to think about

• What are the cosmological implications of an electrically connected plasma universe with regards to education?

• What powers our biology? Every thought, being neuron based, is an electrical event. Indeed, all of our

perceptions are electrical events• If you look at the universe this way, what is intuition? What

is synchronicity? What is coherence?• Teaching and learning are based on the social exchange of

energy and information• Education becomes about connectivity and energy flow-

shared power between individuals

Resources/References

Everythingiselectric.comPlasma-universe.comHoloscience.comThunderbolts.infoElectric-cosmos.org

Scott, Donald, The Electric SkyThornhill, Wallace, The Electric UniverseAlfred, Jay, Our Invisible BodiesHay, David, Something There: the Biology of the Human Spirit

Because in the Beginning

was the Plasma

From “The Electric Sky” by Donald Scott