How Does Our Atmosphere Shield Us from Cosmic Rays?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the protective role of Earth's atmosphere against cosmic rays, including the composition of the atmosphere, the mechanisms by which it absorbs or deflects different types of radiation, and the specific gases involved in this process. Participants seek to understand the energy levels of cosmic rays, their interactions with atmospheric gases, and where to find more detailed information on the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe the atmosphere as composed of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and other gases, which absorb ultraviolet solar radiation.
  • There is a suggestion that the atmosphere absorbs cosmic rays, but the specifics of how this occurs at different altitudes are questioned.
  • One participant argues that there are no "best gases" for stopping cosmic rays, emphasizing the role of various chemicals in sustaining life rather than specifically filtering radiation.
  • Another participant mentions that the Earth's magnetic field also plays a role in deflecting solar radiation.
  • Concerns are raised about the clarity of questions posed, with some participants finding them difficult to understand.
  • Participants express frustration over the lack of accessible basic information regarding cosmic rays and their interaction with the atmosphere, indicating that existing resources do not meet their needs.
  • There are references to ozone's role in absorbing UV photons and the potential negative effects of ozone depletion on cosmic ray filtration.
  • One participant shares a specific link as a resource for further information on cosmic rays.
  • Discussions include the need for basic equations and energy levels (in MeV) related to cosmic rays, with some participants indicating that they have not found satisfactory information online.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the effectiveness of the atmosphere in filtering cosmic rays and the clarity of the information available. There is no consensus on the specific mechanisms or the best sources for detailed information, with some participants feeling that existing resources are inadequate.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in available resources, including a lack of detailed basic information and the challenge of finding specific data on cosmic rays and their interactions with atmospheric gases. There is also mention of the variability in the quality of information found online.

hagopbul
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Our atmosphere?

Our atmosphere protect us from the cosmic rays what it consist of(the cosmic rays and the atmosphere)? How much is its power?
How it (the atmosphere) stop these rays? What happened in high level of the atmosphere to stop it?
What are the best gases (in the atmosphere) that stop the cosmic rays?
Where should I look in the net to find sophisticated and deep information about this subject?
thank you all ! :smile:
 
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Our atmosphere?

Our atmosphere protect us from the cosmic rays what it consist of(the cosmic rays and the atmosphere)? How much is its power?
How it (the atmosphere) stop these rays? What happened in high level of the atmosphere to stop it?
What are the best gases (in the atmosphere) that stop the cosmic rays?
Where should I look in the net to find sophisticated and deep information about this subject?
thank you all
 
- "Our atmosphere protect us from the cosmic rays what it consist of(the cosmic rays and the atmosphere)?"

Our atmosphere consist of nitrogen,oxygen,argon,carbon dioxide and various other gases.

It protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation.

- "How it (the atmosphere) stop these rays? What happened in high level of the atmosphere to stop it?"

The atmosphere(composed of several chemical elements) simply absorb these rays.

- "What are the best gases (in the atmosphere) that stop the cosmic rays?"

There are no "best gases" that protects us from UV. The atmosphere is composed of various chemicals that are involved in the process of sustaining life on earth.

- "Where should I look in the net to find sophisticated and deep information about this subject?

www.google.com :smile:
 
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hagopbul said:
How much is its power?

What do you mean by that :confused:?
 
how many Mev i mean.and cosmic rays are not only uv there is beta ,gamma,neutrons,alpha,positrons,etc... and i need exactly what
and i know all your info but i need how exactly and believe me google won't help
 
hagopbul said:
how many Mev i mean.and cosmic rays are not only uv there is beta ,gamma,neutrons,alpha,positrons,etc... and i need exactly what
and i know all your info but i need how exactly and believe me google won't help
If you can't find what you want online, go to a library. Ask the librarian for what you are looking for. Are you in school?
 
I think he might mean how much does it filter out.

Just to add - member that a lot of the sun's radiation is also deflected away from us by the Earth's magnetic field.

O-Zone...in the o-zone layer...does a fair amount of the work and is also a result of absorbing UV photons. O-zone is made up of O3, unlike the usually found O2 energy is needed to create it this is provided by the UV photons that collide with it.
 
Your questions are not well constructed, It's slightly hard to understand your questions...:smile:
 
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hagopbul said:
Where should I look in the net to find sophisticated and deep information about this subject?

Hi hagopbul!

Wikipedia is a mine of information, regularly used by members of this forum.

Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page, and type "cosmic rays" (or whatever else you're interested in) into the Search box. :smile:
 
  • #10
Mike Cookson said:
O-Zone...in the o-zone layer...does a fair amount of the work and is also a result of absorbing UV photons. O-zone is made up of O3, unlike the usually found O2 energy is needed to create it this is provided by the UV photons that collide with it.
It is simply "ozone". Its root is neither 'o' nor 'zone'.
 
  • #11
no i am not in school the books that i need are not reachable and all what i need to start my research or we can say mini research that why i am trying the pf now !
 
  • #12
Try to search a little more, you will definitely find some useful informations. Its your research, we can't do the work for you.
 
  • #13
tiny-tim said:
Hi hagopbul!

Wikipedia is a mine of information, regularly used by members of this forum.

Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page, and type "cosmic rays" (or whatever else you're interested in) into the Search box. :smile:

Hmm.. I'm not too keen with the informations provided on Wikipedia. Anyone can write/modify an article...
 
  • #14
no i don't need to do the work for me i need the basic information only how much its power in Mev, how it react with our atmosphere ,equations (the basics only then i will resume my research on one gas only (argon) but how would i do it if the basic staff is not there...
 
  • #15
Try searching(try different websites), it'll really help you...

Its your research, even if you don't have the basic information, you are suppose to find it.
 
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  • #16
yes in this i agree with you but the basic info consist only 0.01%
and i did not find this basic in any where... all what i found is like what you said in your first
post the normal and easy stuff ... it protect us ...bla bla bla...
 
  • #17
the basic info consist only 0.8% of my research only...
and i am trying different web sites but... they all use the same old stuff it protect us it etc...
like your 1st post...
and i am trying to find this basics but ... as you see it is not working and i don't know where to look... for god sayck it is only the basic..?
 
  • #18
This is what you want.

http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/dick/cos_encyc.html
 
  • #19
O2 is bad in the upper atmasphere because it reacts with 03 to create 02+02+h all of which cannot absorb cosmic rays as well. That is why a whole in the ozone layer is bad, because uvs are not filtered as much through them.

I think it has to do with having more than 2 atoms in the molecule, and how they are bonded. Some molecule are able to vibrate at a frequency which can resonate with certain frequencies of radiation, i guess what is happening is not really that the molecule absorbs the ray in the sense that a sponge absorbs water or anything like that. Energy from the radiation is turned into vibrational energy of the molecules.
 
Last edited:
  • #20
thank you all it really helped
 

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