The Science Behind Northern Lights

What causes the Northern Lights?

• Charged particles colliding with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere

• The reflection of sunlight on ice crystals in the atmosphere

• The interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and solar wind

• The emission of light from the Sun

Tags

RI.10

RI.4

What causes the Northern Lights?

• The Earth's magnetic field

• The interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles from the sun

• The sun's magnetic field

• The interaction between the sun's magnetic field and charged particles from the Earth

What is the role of the Earth's magnetic field in relation to the charged particles entering the Earth's atmosphere near the poles?

• It attracts the charged particles towards the poles

• It repels the charged particles away from the poles

• It has no effect on the charged particles

• It allows all the charged particles to enter the Earth's atmosphere near the poles

What causes the different colors of the Northern Lights?

• Different gases in the atmosphere

• The altitude at which the collisions occur

• The temperature of the atmosphere

• The rotation of the Earth

What causes the release of charged particles towards the Earth?

• Solar flares

• Coronal mass ejections

• Both solar flares and coronal mass ejections

• None of the above