Earth's magnetic shield

The idea

Earth's magnetic field, believed to arise from moving molten iron in its core, pushes away harmful high-energy particles — cosmic rays from across the universe and the solar wind from the Sun — protecting the atmosphere and life.

Particles from space

Tiny, high-energy particles keep hitting the Earth from space. They can be harmful.

What protects us?

• Earth's magnetic field
• The Moon
• Clouds

Raise the shield

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A protective shield

Earth is constantly hit by tiny, high-energy particles from space. Some come from across the universe (cosmic rays) and some from the Sun (the solar wind). They can damage the atmosphere and reduce the ozone layer. Earth's magnetic field pushes many of them away.

Earth's magnetic field (believed to come from moving molten iron in the core) pushes away harmful particles: cosmic rays and the solar wind. It protects the atmosphere and life.

Notes

The magnetic field pushes away cosmic rays and solar wind.

Check yourself

Cosmic rays come from …

The solar wind comes from …

Earth's magnetic field acts like …

The Earth's magnetic field is believed to arise from …

• the Moon. Cosmic rays come from across the universe.
• far across the universe — correct. Yes!
• the Earth's core. Cosmic rays come from across the universe.
• the oceans. The solar wind comes from the Sun.
• the Moon. The solar wind comes from the Sun.
• the Sun — correct. Yes!
• a protective shield — correct. Yes!
• a heater. It acts as a protective shield.
• a mirror for the Moon. It acts as a protective shield.
• the Moon's gravity. It is believed to arise from molten iron moving in the core.
• the movement of molten iron in its core — correct. Yes!
• the ozone layer. It is believed to arise from molten iron moving in the core.