Why is plasma called the "fourth state of matter"? i've recently heard that plasma is sometimes referred to as the "fourth state of matter". why is this? why is it not the first, second or third?

Chapter 23, problem 075 the figure shows a geiger counter, a device used to detect ionizing radiation (radiation that causes ionization of atoms). the counter consists of a thin, positively charged central wire surrounded by a concentric, circular, conducting cylindrical shell with an equal negative charge. thus, a strong radial electric field is set up inside the shell. the shell contains a low-pressure inert gas. a particle of radiation entering the device through the shell wall ionizes a few of the gas atoms. the resulting free electrons (e) are drawn to the positive wire. however, the electric field is so intense that, between collisions with gas atoms, the free electrons gain energy sufficient to ionize these atoms also. more free electrons are thereby created, and the process is repeated until the electrons reach the wire. the resulting "avalanche" of electrons is collected by the wire, generating a signal that is used to record the passage of the original particle of radiation. suppose the radius of the central wire is 24 âµm, the inner radius of the shell 2.3 cm, and the length of the shell 14 cm. if the electric field at the shell's inner wall is 2.8 ă— 104 n/c, what is the total positive charge on the central wire?

While standing outdoors one evening, you are exposed to the following four types of electromagnetic radiation: yellow light from a sodium street lamp, radio waves from an am radio station, radio waves from an fm radio station, and microwaves from an antenna of a communications system. rank these type of waves in terms of increasing photon energy.

Visualize the problem and identify special cases first examine the problem by drawing a picture and visualizing the motion. apply newton's 2nd law, ∑f⃗ =ma⃗ , to each body in your mind. don't worry about which quantities are given. think about the forces on each body: how are these consistent with the direction of the acceleration for that body? can you think of any special cases that you can solve quickly now and use to test your understanding later? one special case in this problem is if m2=0, in which case block 1 would simply fall freely under the acceleration of gravity: a⃗ 1=−gj^.