What celestial body primarily consists of plasma?

Study for the OSAT Physical Science Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The Sun is primarily composed of plasma, which is a state of matter similar to gas but consisting of charged particles, including ions and electrons. In the Sun's core, nuclear fusion occurs, converting hydrogen into helium and producing vast amounts of energy in the form of heat and light. This process creates the conditions necessary for plasma to form and is responsible for the Sun's immense temperature and pressure.

Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter, and it is the most abundant state of matter in the universe, found not only in stars but also in interstellar space and other celestial phenomena. Unlike Earth or the Moon, which are solid bodies, or asteroids, which are primarily rocky or metallic, the Sun's composition and structure as a giant sphere of hydrogen and helium in a plasma state are what make it fundamentally different from these other celestial bodies. Thus, the significance of the Sun as a plasma-dominated body illustrates the diverse compositions and states of matter that exist in our universe.

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