Magnetic fieldProperty of space that quantifies the magnetic influence at a given locationIn magnetism and electromagnetism, magnetic field is a physical property of space that quantifies the magnetic influence at a given location.
Solar windStream of charged particles from the SunArtist's impression of solar wind flow around Earth's magnetosphereSolar wind observed by the Parker Solar Probe, 2018The solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the Sun's outermost atmospheric layer, the corona. This plasma mostly consists of electrons, protons and alpha particles with kinetic energy between 0.5 and 10 keV.
Earth's outer coreEarth's outer core is a fluid layer about 2,260 km (1,400 mi) thick, composed of mostly iron and nickel that lies above Earth's solid inner core and below its mantle. The outer core begins approximately 2,889 km (1,795 mi) beneath Earth's surface at the core-mantle boundary and ends 5,150 km (3,200 mi) beneath Earth's surface at the inner core boundary. PropertiesThe outer core of Earth is liquid, unlike its inner core, which is solid.
Magnetic dipoleIn electromagnetism, a magnetic dipole is a theoretical description of a sufficiently small magnet such as that of an atom or electron. All magnets can be described as being a magnetic dipole for sufficiently large distances from the magnet. The strength of a magnetic dipole is determined by a single property: its magnetic dipole moment.
Electric currentAn electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, through an electrical conductor or space. It is defined as the net rate at which electric charge flows through a surface. The moving particles are called charge carriers, which may be of several types, depending on the conductor. In electric circuits, the charge carriers are often electrons moving through a wire. In semiconductors, the charge carriers can be electrons or holes.Charged particleIn physics, a charged particle is a particle with an electric charge. For example, some elementary particles, like the electron or quarks are charged. Some composite particles like protons are charged particles. An ion, such as a molecule or atom with a surplus or deficit of electrons relative to protons are also charged particles.
SunStar at the centre of the Solar SystemThe Sun is the star located at the centre of the Solar System. It is a massive sphere of hot plasma, heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions in its core, radiating the energy from its surface mainly as visible light and infrared radiation with 10% at ultraviolet energies. It is the main source of energy for life on Earth.
Dynamo theoryIn physics, the dynamo theory proposes a mechanism by which a celestial body such as Earth or a star generates a magnetic field. The dynamo theory describes the process through which a rotating, convecting, and electrically conducting fluid can maintain a magnetic field over astronomical time scales. A dynamo is thought to be the source of the Earth's magnetic field and the magnetic fields of Mercury and the Jovian planets.
IronChemical element with atomic number 26 (Fe)–↑Fe↓Rumanganese ← iron → cobalt
NickelNickel is a chemical element; it has symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel is a hard and ductile transition metal. Pure nickel is chemically reactive, but large pieces are slow to react with air under standard conditions because a passivation layer of nickel oxide that prevents further corrosion forms on the surface.
Internal structure of EarthThe internal structure of Earth is the spatial variation of chemical and physical properties in the solid Earth. The primary structure is a series of layers: Its mechanical structure is of a rigid lithosphere, a semi-fluid asthenosphere, a semi-fluid mesosphere, a liquid outer core, and a solid, rigid inner core. Its chemical structure is of a silicate crust, a ferromagnesian mantle, and an iron-nickel core whose flowing upper portion generates the Earth's magnetic field.
ConvectionFluid flow that occurs due to heterogeneous fluid properties and body forces Simulation of thermal convection in the Earth's mantle. Hot areas are shown in red, cold areas are shown in blue. A hot, less-dense material at the bottom moves upwards, and likewise, cold material from the top moves downwards. Convection is the transfer of heat through the physical movement of fluids (liquids or gases), where warmer, less-dense material rises and cooler, denser material sinks.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.