Magnetic Fields

What creates a magnetic field?

Moving electrically charged particles create magnetic fields.

What is convection?

When hot fluid rises and cold fluid sinks because of differences in density.

What is buoyancy?

The force that helps less dense material rise through denser material.

What does viscosity mean?

How much a fluid resists flowing.

What is an electrical conductor?

A material that allows electric current to flow through it.

What is a dynamo?

A process where moving conducting material creates and maintains a magnetic field.

What are the main ingredients of a planetary dynamo?

A conducting fluid, heat, gravity, and organized motion from rotation.

What creates Earth's magnetic field?

Moving liquid iron in Earth's outer core.

How does Earth's rotation help its magnetic field?

It organizes the movement of liquid iron inside Earth.

What is a dipole magnetic field?

A magnetic field with two main poles: north and south.

Can Earth's magnetic poles switch?

Yes. They sometimes switch places in an unpredictable way.

What is Earth's magnetosphere?

The region around Earth controlled by its magnetic field.

What is the solar wind?

A stream of charged particles coming from the Sun.

What causes the Northern Lights?

Charged particles from space interact with Earth's atmosphere near the magnetic poles.

Which icy moon has its own magnetic field?

Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons.