During which type of solar weather would one predict power grid operations on Earth could degrade?(1 point)
Responses
solar wind
solar energetic particles
solar flares
coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
To predict power grid operations on Earth degrading, one would need to consider the effects of solar weather events. Among the given options, the solar weather event most likely to negatively impact power grid operations is a coronal mass ejection (CME).
To arrive at this conclusion, one can consider the following information:
1. Solar Wind: Solar wind is a continuous stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun, primarily consisting of electrons and protons. While solar wind can create disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field and cause minor fluctuations in power grids, it is generally not severe enough to cause significant degradation of power grid operations.
2. Solar Energetic Particles: Solar energetic particles are highly energetic charged particles, such as protons and ions, originating from solar flares and other solar events. They can pose radiation hazards to astronauts and disrupt satellite operations, but their impact on power grids is relatively low.
3. Solar Flares: Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation and energy released by the Sun. They can cause radio blackouts, disrupt satellite communications, and impact high-frequency radio transmissions. While they can affect power grids to some extent, their influence on power grid operations is typically localized and not as significant as that of CMEs.
4. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): CMEs are massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona. They can release billions of tons of charged particles into space at high velocities. When a CME reaches the Earth, it interacts with the Earth's magnetosphere, causing disturbances in the planet's magnetic field. This interaction can induce strong electric currents in power transmission lines, leading to power surges and potential grid failures or blackouts.
Therefore, of the given options, it is most likely that power grid operations on Earth would degrade during a coronal mass ejection (CME). It is important for power grid operators to monitor these events and take necessary precautions to minimize potential damage to the power infrastructure.