From: "John McKelliget" <john_mckelliget@uml.edu>

Newsgroups: sci.physics.plasma

References: <d0hj11$537f$1@saturn.cs.uml.edu>

Subject: Re: Is working with plasma dangerous ???

Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2005 16:43:46 -0500

The answer to that is yes and no.

Most plasmas are at high temperature (say 2000 C up to millions of degrees

C), but temperature is only one factor when you talk about burns. A

firework hand held sparkler is at a higher temperature than the surface of

the sun, but because a sparkle has such small mass it does not burn you.

A plasma in a flourescent lamp is at a couple of thousand degrees - but this

temperature is mainly associated with the very light electrons - while the

ions and neutral atoms are at a much lower temp - hence the light might feel

warm but generally wont burn.

The plasma in a welding arc, however, will melt metal and will melt you as

well. This is a thermal plasma, where the heavy particles and the electrons

are pretty much at the same temperature (say 10,000 to 20,000 C).

Also you might have to worry about Ultra Violet burns and other radiation.

Another danger, if you dont know what you are doing, is the electrical

connections that power most plasmas.

Modeling plasmas is, however, a relatively safe pursuit.

John McKelliget

"Paul Eisner" <insane_pile@yahoo.co.nz> wrote in message

news:d0hj11$537f$1@saturn.cs.uml.edu...

>

> I heard it is very hot.Can you burn yourself with it?

>