Transcript Cosmic rays and solar flares

Cosmic rays and solar flares
Draw in the back of your book the
life cycle of a star
Solar flares and Cosmic rays
You should learn:
• Cosmic rays are fast-moving ionising
particles from the Sun.
• The Earth’s magnetic field prevents them
from reaching us because they would be very
harmful
• Solar flares (bursts of energy from the Sun)
interfere with these satellite systems.
P2e
Cosmic rays
• Cosmic rays are not really rays at all, they are a
stream of particles of ionised atoms.
• They can range from a single proton to the nucleus
of an iron atom-or larger
• The most common cosmic ray is a alpha particle
(3protons and 2 neutrons)
• Cosmic rays originate in space and are produced
form sources such as:
–
–
–
–
–
The sun
Other stars
Supernova and their remains
Neutron stars and black holes
Distant galaxies
• Cosmic ray particles are
travelling at speeds close
to that of light and they
have a lot of energy
•The rays interact with the magnetic field of
the earth, spiralling around the field lines
•Producing a concentration of cosmic rays at
the north and south poles
•On certain nights these
shifting patterns can be seen
in the sky.
•They are called Auroras
•These bright lights are
caused by cosmic rays
streaming out from the sun
and striking earths upper
atmosphere
•Energy from these charged
particles is converted into
light and forms visible
glows, rays, arcs, bands and
veils.
•Usually green but can be
red or purple
Cosmic rays
Cosmic rays are __________ particles from
the Sun, ______ and ________. The most
common type of particle is a __________
particle. They interact with the Earth’s
__________ field. Energy from these
charged particles is converted into light
which can be seen in the _______ _______
and _______ ______ called Auroras. These
bright lights are caused by ________ rays
streaming out from the sun and striking
earths upper___________.
Solar flares
• A solar flare is a
violent explosion
above the suns
surface.
• A large amount
of energy is
released
• Solar flares may last for 10 mins and will
produce more energy than a MILLION
hydrogen bombs.
• There is a peak in this type of activity ever
10-11 yrs, during which large numbers of
charged particles are released at very high
speeds
• This results in the production of a magnetic
field that interacts with the earths magnetic
field
• Only a small
amount of energy
reaches the earth
from a solar flare,
but it is enough to
interfere with
radio and
microwave
transmissions
• They can also
affect electrical
power distribution
in the national grid
Solar flares
• A solar flare is a ___________ above the suns
surface. A large amount of _________ is
released.
• A solar flare consists of charged particles from
the ______ that travel at high speed and
produce strong ________ fields.
• Solar _______ interfere with the operation of
satellites by interfering with ______________
and _______________. They also can cause
____________ __________.
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