Magnetic Fields and Field LinesA magnetic field pushes on moving charged particles.It is generated by a moving electric chargeSuch as in a magnet or an electric current
Magnetic field lines show which direction a charged particle is pushed by a magnetic field
You can use a compass to show the direction of the lines
The Origin of Earth’s Magnetic Field
The Spinning of the metallic Inner Core and convection currents in the metallic Outer Core creates a magnetic field around the Earth
The magnetic poles are close to but not exactly the same as the geographic poles of Earth
The Strength of the field is directly related to:
• the metal mass of the inner core
• and how fast it spins
The Magnetosphere and the Van Allen BeltsThe magnetic field traps the charged particles of the
ionosphere pushing them into the magnetosphereWhich stretches out two or three times Earth’s Radius!
They form two donut shaped belts called the inner and outer Van Allen Belts
Particles in the belts are dangerous to spacecraft and astronauts
Protection and The AuroraThe magnetic field protects us by channeling super-fast, high energy charged particles from the Sun away from the Earth. They flow
around the field
This causes electrons to flow along the field lines to the poles
where they rain down energizing the molecules of the atmosphere
making them glow …The Aurora