Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 24 - Reading Check Questions (Comprehension) - Page 466: 28

Answer

The aurora borealis and aurora australis are caused when high-energy charged particles (mostly of solar origin) follow corkscrew paths around Earth's magnetic field lines, and collide with air molecules, lighting up the atmosphere like a fluorescent lamp.

Work Step by Step

This is discussed on page 464.
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