This page features an interactive tutorial on plasma: its nature as a state of matter, uses of plasmas on Earth, and a brief introduction to the role of plasma in the universe. It was developed for secondary grades and could be useful as a building block for high school students who are struggling with the curriculum. Be aware that the Flash version of the "Matter Sorter" has been retired, but the "Magneto Bowling" game is functional.
NOTE: The "Magneto Bowling" game runs in an app called Ruffle, a Flash Player emulator written in Rust. Ruffle runs on all modern operating systems as a standalone application, and on all modern browsers through the use of WebAssembly.
Each atom has a charged substructure consisting of a nucleus, which is made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. (9-12)
Types of Interactions (PS2.B)
Forces at a distance are explained by fields (gravitational, electric, and magnetic) permeating space that can transfer energy through space. Magnets or electric currents cause magnetic fields; electric charges or changing magnetic fields cause electric fields. (9-12)
The Universe and its Stars (ESS1.A)
Other than the hydrogen and helium formed at the time of the Big Bang, nuclear fusion within stars produces all atomic nuclei lighter than and including iron, and the process releases electromagnetic energy. Heavier elements are produced when certain massive stars achieve a supernova stage and explode. (9-12)
Each atom has a charged substructure consisting of a nucleus, which is made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. (9-12)
Types of Interactions (PS2.B)
Forces at a distance are explained by fields (gravitational, electric, and magnetic) permeating space that can transfer energy through space. Magnets or electric currents cause magnetic fields; electric charges or changing magnetic fields cause electric fields. (9-12)
The Universe and its Stars (ESS1.A)
Other than the hydrogen and helium formed at the time of the Big Bang, nuclear fusion within stars produces all atomic nuclei lighter than and including iron, and the process releases electromagnetic energy. Heavier elements are produced when certain massive stars achieve a supernova stage and explode. (9-12)
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=16030">Space Science Institute. Space Weather Center: Amazing Plasmas. Boulder: Space Science Institute, August 29, 2011.</a>
Space Weather Center: Amazing Plasmas. (2011, August 29). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from Space Science Institute: http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/amazing_plasmas/01/01.html
Space Science Institute. Space Weather Center: Amazing Plasmas. Boulder: Space Science Institute, August 29, 2011. http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/amazing_plasmas/01/01.html (accessed 15 March 2026).
Space Weather Center: Amazing Plasmas. Boulder: Space Science Institute, 2001. 29 Aug. 2011. 15 Mar. 2026 <http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/amazing_plasmas/01/01.html>.
%T Space Weather Center: Amazing Plasmas %D August 29, 2011 %I Space Science Institute %C Boulder %U http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/amazing_plasmas/01/01.html %O text/html
%0 Electronic Source %D August 29, 2011 %T Space Weather Center: Amazing Plasmas %I Space Science Institute %V 2026 %N 15 March 2026 %8 August 29, 2011 %9 text/html %U http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/amazing_plasmas/01/01.html
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