High-energy particles from the ____ are trapped by Earth's magnetic field. The trapped particles form ____ called Van Allen belts.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to fill in the blanks related to the Van Allen Belts and high-energy particles, specifically which particles are trapped and what they form.
Answer
Sun; Van Allen belts
The high-energy particles from the Sun are trapped by Earth's magnetic field. The trapped particles form structures called Van Allen belts.
Answer for screen readers
The high-energy particles from the Sun are trapped by Earth's magnetic field. The trapped particles form structures called Van Allen belts.
More Information
The Van Allen belts are zones of energetic charged particles, primarily originating from the solar wind, that are trapped by Earth's magnetic field.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming cosmic rays instead of solar wind solely fill the Van Allen belts.
Sources
- Van Allen radiation belt - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- What are the Van Allen Belts and why do they matter? - NASA Science - science.nasa.gov