Chapter 36, Problem 44A

What changes in cosmic ray intensity at Earth’s surface would you expect during periods in which Earth’s magnetic field passed through a zero phase while undergoing pole reversals? (A speculation supported by fossil evidence is that the periods of no protective magnetic field may have been as effective in changing life forms as X-rays have been in the famous heredity studies of fruit flies.)

To determine

To explain: The way in which the cosmic rays intensity at the earth’s surface is expected when earth’s magnetic undergoing pole reversals

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Cosmic rays are high energy particles that travel through space with that speed which is almost equal to the speed of the light.

When the magnetic field of the earth is passed through the zero phases then the intensity of cosmic rays on the earth’s surface would be maximum as the magnetic shifting is least.

Conclusion:

The intensity of the cosmic rays is increased at the earth’s surface which will be expected in which the earth’s magnetic field passed through a zero-phase and undergoing pole reversals.