UPSC Prelims 2012·GS1·geography·ecology and environment

Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AThe Earth's magnetic field diverts them towards its polesCorrect
  2. BOzone layer around the Earth reflects them back to outer space
  3. CMoisture in the upper layers of atmosphere prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth
  4. DNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct

Explanation

The correct answer is A because of the Earths magnetosphere. The Earth acts like a giant bar magnet, creating a magnetic field that surrounds the planet. When high energy charged particles from space, such as solar winds and cosmic rays, approach Earth, the magnetic field exerts a force on them. This force deflects the particles away from the low latitudes and channels them toward the North and South magnetic poles. As these particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere near the poles, they create the phenomena known as Auroras. Without this magnetic shield, these harmful particles would reach the surface and damage living tissues and electronic systems. Options B and C are incorrect because the ozone layer primarily filters ultraviolet radiation, and atmospheric moisture does not have the capacity to stop high speed charged particles.
geography: Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings
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