Earth’s Magnetic Field

Earth’s Magnetic Field

• Vital to life on Earth

• Due to the Iron core

• Protects us from cosmic rays

• Prone to reversal

Cosmic Rays

• High energy, fast moving particles from the Sun and outside the solar system

Cosmic Rays

• Hit upper atmosphere and create gamma rays

• One cosmic ray can create hundred of gamma rays

Cosmic Rays

• Gamma rays can __________ materials

• This can cause damage to tissues and ________

Cosmic Rays

• Luckily, the Earth’s magnetic field deflects _________ particles, like cosmic rays, along its lines of force towards the _______

The Aurora Borealis

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The Aurora Borealis

• Caused by particles, ionised by cosmic rays, recombining with electrons and emitting light

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Earth’s Magnetic Field

Earth’s Magnetic Field (p56)

• Has lines of _______ and _______ like any magnet

• Caused by _______ in the Earth’s _____ core