Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Magnetic Pole Reversal Effects 
Name: Lauri
Status: Other
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
With regards to magenetic pole reversals and Earth's magnetic field's loss of strength during the reversal, what will happen to the life on our planet? It is my understanding that the magnetic field is what protects us from solar flares and the sun's radiation. With the magnetic field in a 'weakened' state, how will our planet fend off such apocalyptic circumstances?


Replies:
The magnetic field does not protect the earth from solar flares. It simply guides the ions of the solar wind to the polar regions, where their energetic collisions with the upper atmosphere produce the luminous plasma known as the Northern and Southern Lights (Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis). It is the earth's atmosphere that actually prevents the solar wind from reaching the surface, and that is independent of the magnetic field.

Richard E. Barrans Jr.
CHM/200/M019
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Avenue
Argonne, IL 60439


Click here to return to the Environmental and Earth Science Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: February 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory