Plasma, Fourth State of Matter, and Magnetic Fields and Electric Fields [closed]








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Plasma is the fourth state of matter consisting of positive atoms, and freed negative electrons. Does plasma have an electric field, and magnetic field?




There is not necessarily a preexisting magnetic or electric field in a plasma, since the charges can be randomly distributed. Think of plasma as similar to a metallic state conductor -- a sea of mobile electrons (and, of course, ions in plasma, so perhaps it better approximates a semiconductor, with electrons and holes). A plasma in thermal equilibrium, not exposed to an external electromagnetic field, should be uncharged. 


That said, unbalances occur for a number of reasons. For example, electrons are thousands of times less massive and therefore more mobile than ions, so [charge separation occurs, leading to a plasma potential.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)#Plasma_potential). [Lasers can generate a charged plasma, accelerating particles](http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2014/12/08/world-record-for-compact-particle-accelerator/) with the [wakefield effect.](http://www2.mpq.mpg.de/lpg/research/LWFA/LWFA.html)


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