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Chapter 9: Problem 23

What are the Van Allen belts?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Van Allen belts are highly charged particle zones surrounding the Earth, held in place by its magnetic field. They consist mainly of high-energy protons and electrons from the solar wind and cosmic rays. There are two main belts, the inner and outer, located at different distances from the Earth's surface. They protect us from harmful solar radiation and play a role in Earth's atmospheric processes.

Step by step solution

01

Definition

The Van Allen Belts are zones of highly charged particles that surround the Earth, held in place by Earth's magnetic field.
02

Components

The belts are composed mainly of high-energy protons and electrons. These particles originate from the solar wind and cosmic rays.
03

Location

There are two main Van Allen Belts – the inner belt, lying between 1,000 to 5,000 km from the Earth's surface, and the outer belt, roughly between 15,000 to 25,000 km from the Earth's surface.
04

Importance

These belts protect us from harmful solar radiation.While they can pose risks to satellites and astronauts in high orbit, they also play a crucial role in Earth's atmospheric processes.

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