What is the Difference Between Plasma and Bose Einstein Condensate

Plasma and Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) are two states of matter, but they exist at opposite ends of the temperature spectrum. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Everything around us is made up of matter, from the smallest speck of dust to the largest planet. Matter can exist mainly in three states: solid, liquid, and gas. Plasma and Bose Einstein condensate are two other states of matter.

What is the difference between plasma and Bose Einstein condensate? Plasma exists at extremely high temperature while Bose Einstein condensate exists at extremely low temperature.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Plasma (State of Matter)
      – Definition, Features 
2. What is Bose Einstein Condensate
      – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Plasma and Bose Einstein Condensate
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Plasma and Bose Einstein Condensate
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Plasma and Bose Einstein Condensate
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Plasma, Bose Einstein Condensate

What is Plasma (State of Matter)

Plasma exists under extreme conditions. It is referred to as the fourth state of matter. It is a highly energized state of matter. Plasma is composed of a collection of charged particles, including ions and electrons.

Plasma has many ionized atoms. This ionization occurs from the gain or loss of electrons to form charged particles. Plasma requires extremely high temperatures to maintain its state. These temperatures are typically millions of degrees Celsius or Kelvin.

Responsiveness of plasma to electromagnetic fields is high. It can be manipulated using electric or magnetic fields. Some examples where plasma are found include, lightning, stars, neon signs, and plasma TVs. They are also involved in semiconductor manufacturing, plasma display panels, plasma cutting, plasma coating, plasma medicine, space propulsion, controlled thermonuclear fusion, plasma physics research, material processing and in environmental remediation.

What is Bose Einstein Condensate (BEC)

Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) occurs at extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero. It is a state of matter. Here, a large number of atoms or molecules known as bosons occupy the same quantum state, which means they together behave identically, as a single super atom with macroscopic properties.

They are highly sensitive to external forces and has superfluidity (flowing without friction). BECs are coherent, meaning all the atoms in the condensate are in phase with each other, creating a macroscopic wave function. Moreover, lasers and magnetic fields can manipulate this wave function.

In quantum computing, they involve in quantum simulation, quantum information processing, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, and quantum information transfer. It is also used in metrology for precision measurements, inertial navigation, etc.

Similarities Between Plasma State and Bose Einstein Condensate State

1. Both states exhibit collective behavior, meaning the individual particles act as a single entity.
2. Moreover, both states have unusual properties that deviate from classical physics.
3. In addition, these states require extreme conditions to form.

Difference Between Plasma and Bose Einstein Condensate

Composition

• Plasma is a collection of ions (atoms that have lost or gained electrons) and electrons while Bose Einstein condensate is a collection of bosons (particles with integer spin) at a very low temperature.

Temperature

• Plasma requires high temperatures (millions of degrees Celsius) to form while Bose Einstein condensate requires extremely low temperatures (near absolute zero) to form.

State

• In plasma, particles exist in various energy states, while in BEC, most particles occupy the lowest energy state, forming a quantum superposition.

Formation

• Plasma is formed by heating a gas to high temperatures or subjecting it to strong electric fields, whereas BEC is formed by cooling a gas of bosons to extremely low temperatures.

Conclusion

Plasma state and Bose Einstein condensate are two states of matter. The main difference between plasma and Bose Einstein condensate is their two different extreme temperatures. They also have different and unique properties which make them useful in different fields.

FAQ: Plasma State and Bose Einstein Condensate State

1. How plasma and Bose Einstein condensate are different from the three states of matter?

Plasma and Bose Einstein condensate have unique properties and behaviors not observed in the traditional states. Plasma is a highly charged gas, while Bose Einstein condensate is a supercooled state of matter where particles behave collectively as a single entity.

2. How is BEC different from other states of matter?

BEC is a superfluid state of matter where atoms behave as a single quantum entity, unlike solids, liquids, and gases, which have distinct properties.

3. What are the difference between the 3 states of matter?

The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, liquids have a fixed volume but no fixed shape, and gases have no fixed shape or volume.

4. Is Bose Einstein condensate a state of matter?

Yes, a Bose Einstein condensate is a state of matter. It’s a unique phase of matter formed when a gas of bosons is cooled to extremely low temperatures near absolute zero.

5. What is the unique property of BEC?

The unique property of BEC is its macroscopic quantum behavior, where a large number of atoms behave as a single quantum entity, exhibiting wave-like properties on a large scale.

Reference:

1. “Bose Einstein Condensate.” Science Direct.

2. “Plasma State of Matter.” Science Direct.

Image Courtesy: 

1. “Physics matter state transition 1 en” By ElfQrin (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Bose Einstein condensate” (CC0) via Picryl