Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

[Phys-l] States of matter?



I find myself in the middle of a heated debate by our Chemists. Several of them gives the states of matter as: solid liquid, gas, plasma. The opposing group vehemently objects to the inclusion of plasma as a state of matter, as they claim it is just a special case of gases.

Why they think that I, as a physicist, would be a great arbiter of this is a mystery to me. After a bit of research I am leaning toward the traditional "solid, liquid, gas" argument; however, before sticking my head in the lion's mouth I thought I would solicit opinions here.

Thanks,
Peter