Can all elements be turned into plasma?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether all elements can be turned into plasma, exploring the conditions required for different elements to achieve this state. Participants also consider the implications of plasma behavior, such as recrystallization and applications in surface coating.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that any element can become plasma under the right conditions, referencing the state of matter found in stars.
  • There is a question about whether a metal plasma, upon cooling, would recrystallize into a solid, with a later reply indicating that this process depends on physical conditions like temperature and pressure.
  • A theoretical scenario is proposed where a metal could be heated to a gas, ionized, and then used for surface coating, with confirmation that this is practiced in various plating systems, emphasizing the need for careful control of conditions.
  • One participant mentions that plasma is specifically a gas phase state.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that elements can become plasma under certain conditions, but there are differing views on the specifics of plasma behavior and applications, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the conditions necessary for recrystallization and the specifics of plasma behavior in different contexts.

iwant2beoz
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I'm not sure where to post this so forgive me if the is the wrong place.
Can any element be a plasma or only certain ones? Could you make iron plasma?
 
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A plasma is another state of matter, like the familiar solid, liquid, or gaseous states. Any element can enter this state under the right conditions. The matter in stars, like the sun, largely exists as a plasma.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)
 
Thats what I thought. So when say a metal plasma decays does it recrystalise into a solid?
 
iwant2beoz said:
Thats what I thought. So when say a metal plasma decays does it recrystalise into a solid?

As the plasma cools down, the electrons will be captured by the positive ions forming neutral atoms. What happens next depends on physical conditions, such as temperature and pressure.
 
So theoretically one could heat a metal to a gas, ioniz it then use it to coat a surface with a thin layer of metal?
 
iwant2beoz said:
So theoretically one could heat a metal to a gas, ioniz it then use it to coat a surface with a thin layer of metal?

Yes. This is done in various types of plating systems. The conditions must be carefully controlled.
 
Plasme it just for gas phase
 

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