The ozone layer protects life on Earth from a. high-energy particles from the solar wind. b. micrometeorites. c. ultraviolet radiation. d. charged particles trapped in Earth's magnetic field.

The ozone layer plays a crucial role in protecting living organisms on Earth. One of its primary functions is absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays.

UV radiation is divided into three types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. The ozone layer effectively absorbs the most harmful UV-B and all UV-C radiation. UV-A is less harmful and more of it reaches the Earth's surface.

By absorbing UV-B and UV-C radiation, the ozone layer prevents these harmful rays from causing diseases such as skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues. It also protects ecosystems, particularly marine life, as UV radiation can damage phytoplankton, which forms the base of the oceanic food chain.

The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding our planet. It extends from the surface of the Earth up to about 10,000 km. This atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature and composition.

These layers include:

• Troposphere: The lowest layer, where weather occurs.
• Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer and lies above the troposphere.
• Mesosphere: The layer where meteors burn up.
• Thermosphere: Contains the ionosphere, which is important for communication.
• Exosphere: The outermost layer, where the atmosphere thins out into space.

The stratosphere holds the ozone layer, which is crucial for absorbing harmful UV radiation. Each layer of the atmosphere plays a role in supporting life and performing vital functions for maintaining the planet's health.

The Earth's magnetosphere is an area around our planet where charged particles are controlled by Earth's magnetic field. It acts as a shield, protecting Earth from high-energy particles coming from the sun, such as the solar wind.

The magnetosphere has several key functions:

• Deflecting Solar Wind: The magnetosphere diverts charged solar particles away from Earth, reducing potential damage from high-energy solar wind.
• Trapping Particles: The magnetic field traps some solar particles, forming the Van Allen radiation belts.
• Protecting Atmosphere: By shielding the atmosphere from solar wind erosion, the magnetosphere helps maintain the stability of our atmosphere.
• Facilitating Auroras: When charged particles from the solar wind interact with the magnetosphere and atmosphere, they create beautiful auroras, commonly seen near the poles.

The magnetosphere thus plays an essential role in protecting life on Earth and maintaining our planet's environmental balance.

Solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the outer layer of the sun. These particles travel through space and interact with objects they encounter, including planets.

When the solar wind reaches Earth, it encounters the magnetosphere. This interaction leads to several phenomena:

• Magnetic Storms: Intense bursts of solar wind can cause geomagnetic storms, affecting satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
• Auroras: Charged particles from solar wind enter Earth's atmosphere near the poles, causing auroras Borealis (Northern Lights) and Australis (Southern Lights).

However, without the protection of the magnetosphere, these particles would strip away the atmosphere, making life on Earth impossible. The complex interplay between the Earth's magnetic field and solar wind ensures that our planet remains a habitable environment for all forms of life.