ENGLISH

The Fourth State of Matter

Book information

Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Year
2001
ISBN
0750307404, 9780750307406
Open Library ID
OL18009244M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
2 MB (2277223 bytes)
Edition
2nd
Pages
224\236
Time added
2011-02-05 03:32:40

Description

Synopsis The aim of the second edition is to bring The Fourth State of Matter up to date in the light of progress. Sometimes progress is almost insignificant in ten years and sometimes, as in the field of plasmas, it is immense. The second edition includes a multitude of new discoveries and applications. Familiar as we are with the three states of matter in our everyday surroundings - solid, liquid and gas - we may be surprised to find that most of the known universe is in a fourth state of matter. This fourth state of matter, known to physicists as plasma, is a fluid of electrically charged particles, often at very high temperatures. It is the matter stars are made of, and at one time, in the early universe, it was the state in which all matter was found. It occurs on the earth as lightning discharges, and more prosaically, in fluorescent tubes. Most importantly research into plasma physics may lead us in the future to provide a supply of energy for the needs of mankind. Readership The Fourth State of Matter is a comprehensive overview of plasma physics for those starting out in their understanding of it and is intended for scientists and lay readers alike.

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