Cosmic rays impinging upon the earth will generally ____.
A) be deflected by the earth's gravitational field
B) not be affected if they are electrically neutral
C) be weaker in intensity at the earth's poles
D) lead to lightning discharges in the atmosphere

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cosmic rays are highly energetic charged particles (mostly protons and alpha particles) that originate from sources outside the solar system. As they approach the earth, they may be deflected by the geomagnetic field, but they are not affected by the gravitational field since they are moving too fast. However, their path may be influenced by charged particles in the earth's atmosphere, which can cause them to scatter or interact with other particles. Neutral particles, on the other hand, are not affected by the geomagnetic field and can pass through the atmosphere and reach the ground. Therefore, option B is the best choice as it states that cosmic rays that are electrically neutral will not be affected.

Cosmic Rays Impinging Upon the Earth Will Generally ____