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   Solar Wind and Magnetosphere Interaction  Lab

by Lynne Zielinski

     The manner in which the solar wind interacts with the earth's magnetosphere can be demonstrated in this laboratory activity.  When large events occur on the sun, such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and coronal holes, the extra energy emitted effects the earth's magnetosphere.  Most solar wind particles are deflected around the earth with only a few actually entering its magnetosphere.  Charged particles within the magnetosphere are guided to the polar regions by the earth's magnetic field.

There are several sites which have full explanations of how the aurora are formed.  It is advisable that the material present in these tutorials be presented to students before the lab or that the students are allowed to go through the tutorials themselves.  The tutorials can be found at:

     Dawn of the North - An Auroral Tutorial for grades 10-12

     Paintings in the Sky - An Auroral Tutorial for grades 5-9

     In this laboratory activity, students will use a mixture of cereal, raisins, and iron filings to represent the mixture of particles that come from the sun when a major event occurs.  The viscous liquid or oil will be used to represent the earth's magnetosphere.  Placing the magnets near the oil will simulate the earth's magnetic field.

     When the cereal mixture is poured into the oil, most of the flakes will rest on top and the raisins will move quickly through the liquid to the bottom.  This result represents how the majority of the solar wind particles are deflected by Earth's magnetosphere and how only a small percentage enter it.  

     Eventually, the iron filings will move into the liquid.  They will align and be guided by the magnetic field present.  This is similar to how Earth's magnetic field guides charged particles to the polar regions. 

When the magnets are oriented in different configurations, the alignment of the iron filings will be different.  Therefore, magnets can be oriented to represent different types of magnetic field configurations.  It is good to have students draw a picture of the earth's magnetosphere and indicate on it how their magnet conjuration is represented.

     IMPORTANT TEACHER NOTE:  It is very important to try this lab yourself first as the cereal that is used may not visibly contain the desired iron filings.  Sometimes crushing the flakes will release them if the manufacturer happens to spray them on with a coating.  If you find that the filings are not in the amount desired for the full effect of the lab, add some.  Iron filings can be purchased from science supply companies.

      Last Update: 3/00