ScienceJune 14, 2026

plasma

/ˈplæzmə/

Definition

An ionized state of matter consisting of free electrons and positive ions that responds strongly to electromagnetic fields.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'plasma', meaning 'something molded' or 'formed'. It was adopted into scientific terminology in the 1920s by Irving Langmuir to describe the 'molded' behavior of ionized gases within a vacuum tube.

In the news

In this article, plasma refers to the electrically charged particles from the Sun that interact with Earth's magnetic field. The proposed Plasma Observatory mission seeks to study these interactions to better understand energy transfer in the wider universe.

ESA science missions get green light for new discoveries

Read the full article ↗

European Space Agency

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