Question

What is/are the component/s responsible for the occurrence of auroras in the Earth's atmosphere?

1. Solar wind particles
2. Earth's magnetic field
3. Ozone layer
4. Nitrogen

• A. ii only
• B. i, ii
• C. All
• D. iii, iv

Answer 1

Answer:

B. i, ii

Aurora

• An aurora is a natural light display that occurs in the Earth's sky, predominantly in high-latitude regions, around the Arctic and Antarctic.
• It is also known as the northern lights (aurora borealis) in the northern hemisphere and the southern lights (aurora australis) in the southern hemisphere.
• Auroras usually appear as colorful, shifting curtains of light, most commonly green but also sometimes red, blue, or purple.
  
  
• Auroras are primarly caused by the interaction of charged particles from the Sun, also known as solar wind, with the Earth's magnetosphere.
• When the solar wind particles, mainly electrons and protons, collide with the Earth's magnetosphere, they follow the planet's magnetic field lines toward the polar regions.
• The Earth's magnetic field also plays a crucial role in the occurrence of auroras.
• When the solar wind particles are directed toward the Earth, they interact with the magnetosphere, causing the charged particles to spiral along the magnetic field lines.
• These particles then collide with the gases in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the emission of light.