The plasma state is one of the four fundamental states of matter, alongside solid, liquid, and gas. It occurs when a gas is heated to the point where its atoms become ionized, meaning they lose or gain electrons. This process creates a mixture of free electrons and positively charged ions, allowing plasma to conduct electricity and respond to magnetic fields. Plasma is commonly found in the universe, making up about 99% of its visible matter. Examples of plasma include stars, including our Sun, and lightning. Additionally, plasma is used in various technologies, such as fluorescent lights and plasma TVs.