How does the earth's magnetic field stop radiation?

[Lunct]

To my understanding, photons have no charge, so how does the magnetic field control them.

Also side question - in the diagrams I see the photons seem to kind of curve around the magnetic field, does that mean they are accelerating?

 

[phinds]

To my understanding, photons have no charge, so how does the magnetic field control them.

Also side question - in the diagrams I see the photons seem to kind of curve around the magnetic field, does that mean they are accelerating?

I think you are confusing photons with cosmic rays

 

[Drakkith]

To my understanding, photons have no charge, so how does the magnetic field control them.

It doesn't. Earth's magnetic field stops charged particles like protons and electrons. The atmosphere is the main protection against high-energy EM radiation.

Also side question - in the diagrams I see the photons seem to kind of curve around the magnetic field, does that mean they are accelerating?

I assume those are supposed to electrons or protons. Yes, they are accelerating as they curve around.

 

[Lunct]

I think you are confusing photons with cosmic rays

is all radiation not made out of photons?

 

[phinds]

is all radiation not made out of photons?

Yes. I think you are confusing photons with cosmic radiation

 

[Drakkith]

is all radiation not made out of photons?

No. There are several different types of radiation. Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, and others. See here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation

 

[phinds]

No. There are several different types of radiation. Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, and others.

There you go, proving me wrong again dammit

@Lunct do you now understand your error?

 

[Lunct]

No. There are several different types of radiation. Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, and others. See here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation

The more you know the more you don't know.

 

[Lunct]

There you go, proving me wrong again dammit

@Lunct do you now understand your error?

yes. I feel enlightened

 

[phinds]

yes. I feel enlightened

Me too. I ALWAYS seem to forget that "radiation" is no limited to photons and I for some reason don't associate "cosmic radiation" with "normal radiation" (normal being the kind that IS made up of photons).

And by the way, it's not really correct to say that electromagnetic radiation is made up of photons. It isn't. It's a wave. It only becomes photons if/when it interacts with matter.

 

[Lunct]

Me too. I ALWAYS seem to forget that "radiation" is no limited to photons and I for some reason don't associate "cosmic radiation" with "normal radiation" (normal being the kind that IS made up of photons).

And by the way, it's not really correct to say that electromagnetic radiation is made up of photons. It isn't. It's a wave. It only becomes photons if/when it interacts with matter.

you're right, I always talk about it being photons even though I know it is a wave.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

Also (relevant), it would help getting a good grasp and knowledge of the Electromagnetic spectrum (look it up) and its structure (composition). Starts with γ, X rays (radiation), which are actually EM radiation ... [Goes like: γ, X, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, microwaves, radio waves (as wavelength increases, or decreasing frequency) ...]

That will help put things in perspective and distinguish from other types of radiation.
[E.g. no other types of radiation are potentally related to / (composed of) photons, while EM types of radiation all do ...]

 

[davenn]

and I for some reason don't associate "cosmic radiation" with "normal radiation"

it's in the same class as your alpha and beta radiation ... protons and atomic nuclei

when growing up and before I had heard the term electromagnetic radiation
the "normal radiation" for me was that caused by nuclear decay alpha, beta, x-ray and gamma

I didn't know there were 2 separate classes there ... a and b / x and g

 

[phinds]

it's in the same class as your alpha and beta radiation...

Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.

 

[Stavros Kiri]

Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.

Beta is electrons. I'm sure you have a few! ...

 

[davenn]

Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.

alpha radiation is basically a helium nucleus, 2 protons and 2 neutrons
and as Stavros Kiri said, beta radiation is electrons

to be more specific, they are high speed /high energy electrons or positrons

Dave

 

[Stavros Kiri]

to be more specific, they are high speed /high energy electrons or positrons

So he doesn't have any ... unless we put him in an accelerator! ...

 

[davenn]

So he doesn't have any

who ?

 

[phinds]

who ?

Me. But don't even think about it !

 

[Stavros Kiri]

who ?

phinds of course (read the previous) ...
e.g.

Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.

Beta is electrons. I'm sure you have a few! .

 

[davenn]

phinds of course (read the previous) ...
e.g.

OK ... I initially didn't follow that ... too early in the morning

 

[phinds]

OK ... I initially didn't follow that ... too early in the morning

Yeah, yeah. Excuses, excuses. If you keep this up, you'll be as bad as @Drakkith

 

[Stavros Kiri]

OK ... I initially didn't follow that ... too early in the morning

We'll see you after coffee Dave ...
(Just kidding)

 

[Stavros Kiri]

So he doesn't have any ... unless we put him in an accelerator! ...

Why don't we?

who ?

Me. But don't even think about it !

Sounds like we have to fasten him with a rope first ...

 

[phinds]

Why don't we?Sounds like we have to fasten him with a rope first ...

GGRRRRRRRRR !