The key difference between plasma and Bose Einstein condensate is that plasma state contains a gas of ions and free electrons whereas Bose-Einstein condensate contains a gas of bosons at low densities which is cooled to a low temperature close to absolute zero.
Plasma and Bose-Einstein condensate are two phases of matter. The other possible phases of matter are the solid phase, liquid phase and gas phase.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Plasma
3. What is Bose-Einstein Condensate
4. Side by Side Comparison – Plasma vs Bose-Einstein Condensate in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Plasma?
Plasma is a phase of matter where gas ions and free electrons exist. It is one of the four fundamental states of matter, other phases being solid, liquid and gas phases. This phase of matter was described by the chemist Irving Langmuir in 1920. The gas ions in this plasma state are formed through the removal of electrons from the outermost orbitals of gas atoms. We can generate a plasma state artificially by heating a neutral gas or by subjecting the neutral gas to a strong electromagnetic field until the ionized gaseous substances increasingly become electrically conductive. Usually, the plasma state is sensitive to electromagnetic fields than the neutral gas because gas ions and free electrons in this state are influenced by long-range electromagnetic fields.
There can be complete plasms states and partial plasma states. A partial plasma state forms depending on the temperature and density of the surrounding. For example, Neon signs and lightning are partially ionized plasmas.
Figure 01: Hypothetical Plasma Fountain of Earth
Moreover, the positively charged ions in the plasma state are formed by stripping away electrons that are orbiting the atomic nuclei. Here, the total number of electrons that are removed from the atom is related to the increasing temperature or the local density of the ionized matter. Moreover, the dissociation of molecular bonds can accompany this state.
Figure 02: Lightning can form a Partial Plasma State
When considering the state of the Universe, the plasma state is believed to be the most abundant form of ordinary matter in the Universe. However, this is a hypothesis that is currently tentative, depending on the existence and the unknown properties of dark matter. The state of plasma is associated mostly with stars.
What is Bose-Einstein Condensate?
Bose-Einstein condensate is a state of matter in which gas of boson occurs at a low temperature close to absolute zero. It is considered the 5th state of matter. This state of matter forms typically when a gas of bosons at low density is cooled to a low temperature close to the absolute zero. Under this temperature condition, a large fraction of bosons tends to occupy the lowest quantum state at which the wavefunction interference become microscopically apparent. This state of matter was predicted by Albert Einstein around 1924-1925, and the credit also goes to the paper published by Satyendra Nath Bose.
What is the Difference Between Plasma and Bose Einstein Condensate?
Plasma and Bose-Einstein condensate are two phases of matter, and the other possible phases of matter are the solid phase, liquid phase and gas phase. The key difference between plasma and Bose-Einstein condensate is that the plasma state contains a gas of ions and free electrons, whereas Bose-Einstein condensate contains a gas of bosons at low densities, which is cooled to a low temperature close to absolute zero.
Below is a summary of the difference between plasma and Bose-Einstein condensate in tabular form.
Summary – Plasma vs Bose-Einstein Condensate
The terms plasma and Bose-Einstein condensate are not very common in general chemistry because they are two phases of matter that are not common in nature. The key difference between plasma and Bose Einstein condensate is that plasma state contains a gas of ions and free electrons, whereas Bose-Einstein condensate contains a gas of bosons at low densities, which is cooled to a low temperature close to absolute zero.
Reference:
1. Anil, Kevin. Plasma and Bose-Einstein Condensate. 8 Feb. 2014, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Plasma fountain” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bliksem in Assen” By Dennisveninga – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia