Why are the field lines of the magnetosphere closer together on the side of the Earth facing towards the Sun?

Why are the field lines of the magnetosphere closer together on the side of the Earth facing towards the Sun?

On the Sun-facing side, the solar wind compresses the magnetosphere to a distance of about 10 Earth radii; on the downwind side, the magnetotail stretches for more than 1000 Earth radii. Through reconnection the magnetic fields of Sun and Earth become coupled together.

How does Earth’s magnetic field protect us from solar wind?

The magnetic field of the Earth plays a very important role in our lives, it protects us from the solar winds. These are currents of particles charged of energy emanated from the sun which emit radiation. The magnetosphere deflects the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun, keeping us safe from any risk.

Which direction does Earth’s magnetic field extend?

All magnetic objects produce invisible lines of force that extend between the poles of the object. Earth is similar to a giant bar magnet with magnetic field lines radiating from the south to the north magnetic pole.

How does magnetosphere affect solar wind?

The magnetosphere shields our home planet from solar and cosmic particle radiation, as well as erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind – the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the sun. Constant bombardment by the solar wind compresses the sun-facing side of our magnetic field.

How does the magnetosphere protect Earth?

Generated by powerful, dynamic forces at the center of our world, our magnetosphere shields us from erosion of our atmosphere by the solar wind (charged particles our Sun continually spews at us), erosion and particle radiation from coronal mass ejections (massive clouds of energetic and magnetized solar plasma and …

Where are Earth’s magnetic field lines?

Imagine a bar magnet inside Earth, more or less aligned with the axis, where the ends of that magnet lie close to the geographic North and South poles of the planet. The magnetic field lines travel from the north pole of the magnet, looping back around to go back in toward the south pole.

Why does the Earth have a magnetosphere?

The magnetosphere is formed by the interaction of the solar wind with Earth’s magnetic field. The pressure of the solar wind on Earth’s magnetic field compresses the field on the dayside of Earth and stretches the field into a long tail on the nightside.

What is the result of the rotation of the earth?

As Earth rotates on its axis, the different locations on Earth change position in relation to the Sun. A city on Earth that faces toward the Sun at noon will rotate to face away from the Sun 12 hours later. The positions of Earth and the Sun over the course of a 24-hour rotation cause sunrise, sunset, day, and night.

Which of the following is a result of rotation?

1. Rotation creates a diurnal cycle of light and darkness, temperature, and humidity changes. 2. Rotation requires the creation of standardized time zones.

How big is the sun facing side of the magnetosphere?

The sun-facing side, or dayside, extends a distance of about six to 10 times the radius of the Earth. The side of the magnetosphere facing away from the sun – the nightside – stretches out into an immense magnetotail, which fluctuates in length and can measure hundreds of Earth radii, far past the moon’s orbit at 60 Earth radii.

How is the earth’s magnetic field stretched out?

Earth’s magnetic field gets stretched out into a comet-like shape with a tail of magnetism that stretches millions of miles behind the earth, opposite from the sun. The sun has a wind of gas that pushes the earths field from the left to the right in the picture.

How does the magnetosphere protect the Earth from the Sun?

It deflects most of the solar material sweeping towards us from our star at 1 million miles per hour or more. Without the magnetosphere, the relentless action of these solar particles could strip the Earth of its protective layers, which shield us from the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

How is the direction of the magnetic field related to the field line?

The direction of the magnetic field is tangent to the field line at any point in space. A small compass will point in the direction of the field line. The strength of the field is proportional to the closeness of the lines.