In what conditions can plasma typically be found?

Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, alongside solids, liquids, and gases. It is characterized by a collection of charged particles, including ions and electrons, which means that it typically exists at extremely high temperatures that provide enough energy to strip electrons from atoms.

In astrophysical contexts, plasma is abundantly found in stars and quasars due to the extreme conditions present in those environments. For example, the core of a star, where nuclear fusion occurs, is primarily composed of plasma because the temperatures can reach millions of degrees Celsius. Similarly, quasars, which are extremely luminous objects powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies, are also made of plasma. The intense energy from these sources ionizes matter, creating the plasma state.

In contrast, plasma is not found in solid ice forms, within liquid water, or in gaseous atmospheres at low temperatures, since these conditions do not provide the necessary energy for ionization to create plasma. Only under extremely high energetic conditions, as found in stars and quasars, does the plasma state form and remain stable.