The magnetic field of Jupiter is approximately twenty to thirty times

Question

The magnetic field of Jupiter is approximately twenty to thirty times stronger than that of Earth. Because of its size and great distance from the sun, Jupiter has a magnetosphere that is considerably larger than the magnetosphere of Earth. If we could see the Jovian magnetosphere from Earth, it would appear close to the size of the moon in the sky, despite our great distance from Jupiter.

Jupiter's magnetosphere has three distinct regions. The inner region is doughnut-shaped, with the planet in the hole of the doughnut. This region is similar to Earth's inner magnetosphere, but more intense, and contains several shells where protons and electrons of enormous energies concentrate, as they do in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. Jupiter's small innermost satellite, Amalthea, and three of its large satellites, Io, Europa, and Ganymede, travel through this inner region. The middle region of Jupiter's magnetosphere has no Earthly counterpart.

This middle region is a sheath of electrically charged particles whirled around rapidly by the rotation of Jupiter's magnetic field. These particles strongly distort the intrinsic magnetic field of Jupiter.

The outer region is similar to the outer magnetosphere of Earth, in that its shape is affected by the solar wind, a blizzard of electrons and protons that blows across space from the sun. The solar wind often forces the magnetic field of Jupiter back toward the planet, squeezing the magnetosphere as though it were a great air-filled bag. Leaks develop, from which high-energy particles 'squirt' across the solar system. Some of these particles have been detected in the atmospheres of Earth and Mercury by orbiting and interplanetary spacecraft.

The energized particles in the Jovian magnetosphere appear to have several sources. Some originate in the planet's ionosphere; others appear to be injected into the magnetosphere from the surface of the satellites. Io, in particular, is believed to interact with the Jovian magnetic field to produce energetic electrons, while volcanic activity on Io and the bombardment of Io's surface with energetic particles are believed to be responsible for releasing sodium, potassium, and sulfur ions into the magnetosphere. These atoms and ions form neutral clouds around Io and a doughnut-shaped torus of ions circling Jupiter in the plane of the magnetic equator.

Investigations of this complex toric region of plasma, where gas is fully ionized, are important in understanding not only the magnetosphere of Earth, but other plasmas in general. Since most of the intensely energetic processes of the universe take place in plasmas, their study is important to future energy research, particularly in fusion power. The dynamic magnetosphere of Jupiter provides us with a unique laboratory for the study of these and other aspects of astrophysics.    1 
 1. The passage states which of the following about the solar wind?

A. It is a major source of the energetic particles found in Jupiter's magnetosphere.
B. It has a distorting effect on the contour of Jupiter's magnetosphere.
C. It produces particles that have been detected near Earth's orbit.
D. It exerts a powerful gravitational attraction upon the magnetosphere of Jupiter.
E. It is considerably stronger at the orbit of Jupiter than at that of Earth.

2 
 2. The passage provides information to answer which of the following questions?

A. Where is the ionosphere of Jupiter located in relation to its magnetosphere?
B. What is the total number of Jovian satellites?
C. What causes the toric shape of plasma?
D. Is it possible to observe the Jovian magnetosphere with the naked eye from Earth?
E. What is the effect of volcanic activity on the surface of Jupiter upon the planet's magnetosphere?

3 
 3. The passage provides information about how the magnetosphere of Jupiter compares with that of Earth in which of the following ways?

I. Strength
II. Size
III. Structure

A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only
E. I, II, and III

4 
 4. According to the passage, which of the following statements about Io is FALSE?

A. Its surface is under bombardment by energetic particles.
B. It orbits Jupiter in the inner ring of the magnetosphere.
C. It is one source of the ions found orbiting Jupiter.
D. It appears to be marked by volcanic activity.
E. It is one of the smallest satellites of Jupiter.

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 239 Date: 15-Jun-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

paragamrutkar · Answer

1. The passage states which of the following about the solar wind?

A. It is a major source of the energetic particles found in Jupiter's magnetosphere. - Sources of energy particles are the Ionosphere and the surfaces of satellites. 
B. It has a distorting effect on the contour of Jupiter's magnetosphere. - CORRECT -  Solar wind affects the shape of Jupiter's outer magnetosphere.   ✅
C. It produces particles that have been detected near Earth's orbit. - Not mentioned
D. It exerts a powerful gravitational attraction upon the magnetosphere of Jupiter. - Nothing mentioned about gravitational attraction. 
E. It is considerably stronger at the orbit of Jupiter than at that of Earth. - Such comparison is not stated in the passage.

2. The passage provides information to answer which of the following questions?

A. Where is the ionosphere of Jupiter located in relation to its magnetosphere?
B. What is the total number of Jovian satellites?
C. What causes the toric shape of plasma?
D. Is it possible to observe the Jovian magnetosphere with the naked eye from Earth? - CORRECT -  Passage states that if we could see the Jovian magnetosphere from Earth, it would appear close to the size of the moon in the sky, despite our great distance from Jupiter. From this sentence, we can infer that Jovian magnetospere is not visible to the naked eye.   ✅

E. What is the effect of volcanic activity on the surface of Jupiter upon the planet's magnetosphere?

3. The passage provides information about how the magnetosphere of Jupiter compares with that of Earth in which of the following ways?

I. Strength -  The magnetic field of Jupiter is approximately twenty to thirty times stronger than that of Earth. 
II. Size -  Because of its size and great distance from the sun, Jupiter has a magnetosphere that is considerably larger than the magnetosphere of Earth. 
III. Structure -  The passage compares regions of the Magnetospheres of Earth and Jupiter.

A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. I and III only
E. I, II, and III -  CORRECT  ✅

4. According to the passage, which of the following statements about Io is FALSE?

A. Its surface is under bombardment by energetic particles.
B. It orbits Jupiter in the inner ring of the magnetosphere.
C. It is one source of the ions found orbiting Jupiter.
D. It appears to be marked by volcanic activity.
E. It is one of the smallest satellites of Jupiter. - CORRECT -  The opposite is true. The passage mentions that Io is one of the largest satellites of Jupiter.   ✅

glagad · Answer

Sajjad1994   paragamrutkar   GMATNinja . I am confused about two questions in this -

Q2 - While the passage says that we can see the magnetosphere, it doesn't explicitly say if we can see with our eyes or an apparatus out there. How can we conclusively then select D?

Q3 - Passage says - but here the Passage talks about the size of the Jupiter, as I comprehend it and not the size of the magnetosphere. 
How can we then say that passage compares the sizes of Earth & Jupiter's Magnetosphere?

Your inputs will be highly appreciated. Thanks!

The magnetic field of Jupiter is approximately twenty to thirty times

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The magnetic field of Jupiter is approximately twenty to thirty times

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