Question

The Earth’s thick atmosphere and strong magnetic field combine to protect us from the high-speed charged particles of the solar wind. Mars is not so lucky. Proponents of terraforming Mars (transforming the planet to create a livable environment) have a novel solution for creating a protective magnetic field for the planet: Pass a current through a cable that circles Mars’ equator, creating a magnetic field comparable to the Earth’s 50 µT field. Not a very practical strategy, but creative!

• How would a magnetic field around Mars provide protection from the solar wind?

Now, let’s consider details: If the field is to match the Earth’s field in magnitude and direction:

• Viewed from above Mars’ north pole (the top of the planet, in the conventional orientation—on the Earth, this corresponds to the Arctic, the Santa pole), would the current be clockwise or counterclockwise?
• What current would be necessary if the cable was a single conductor? Mars has a 3400 km radius.

Answer 1

1) a magnetic field around mars provide protection from solar wind as the solar wind contains a lot of charged particles and when they approach the surface of the mars then a magnetic force acts on the charged particles present in the solar wind and reflect them away from the surface of the mars and hence protecting the planet Mars.

Magnetic force = q ( v×B)

Where q is the charge, v is the velocity of the charged particle and B is the magnetic field.

2) viewed from above mars North pole, the current would be clockwise in direction.

3)

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