What percentage of the visible universe is made up 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 correct answer, indicating that more than 99 percent of the visible universe is made up of plasma, reflects the predominant role that plasma plays in cosmic composition. Plasma is the most abundant state of matter in the universe and exists in various forms such as stars, including our sun, which are essentially massive balls of plasma.

In addition to stars, plasma also constitutes a significant portion of the interstellar medium, which fills the vast spaces between stars and galaxies. It is in this state that matter exhibits unique characteristics, such as conducting electricity and generating magnetic fields, which are crucial for the dynamics of astrophysical phenomena.

While it might be intuitive to think that other states of matter (like solids, liquids, and gases) could make up larger percentages, they are relatively scarce compared to plasma in the grand scheme of the universe. The percentages associated with the other options would underestimate the overwhelming prevalence of plasma in the universe. Thus, stating that more than 99 percent of the visible universe is plasma accurately captures the cosmic reality of matter's composition.

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