Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is a type of plasma created by using electromagnetic fields to ionize gas, typically argon. This process involves generating a high-frequency alternating current that creates a magnetic field, which in turn excites the gas particles, resulting in a hot, ionized gas known as plasma. ICP is widely used in analytical chemistry for its ability to detect trace elements in various samples. ICP is commonly employed in techniques like ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). These methods allow scientists to analyze the composition of materials, including metals and minerals, with high sensitivity and precision.