MCQ Detailed View

The solar wind is a constant flow of charged particles that escape the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, and travel throughout the solar system. This wind is made up mostly of protons and electrons, which are the fundamental components of plasma. These particles are ejected into space because of the extremely high temperature of the Sun’s corona, which exceeds one million degrees Celsius, giving the particles enough energy to overcome the Sun’s gravitational pull.

The solar wind is not composed of just one type of particle. Around 95% of the solar wind consists of protons (positively charged hydrogen nuclei) and electrons (negatively charged particles). A small amount of alpha particles (helium nuclei) and trace amounts of heavier ions are also present. These charged particles move outward in all directions from the Sun, forming a stream that fills interplanetary space.

There are two main types of solar wind:

1. 
   

   Slow solar wind: Travels at about 300–500 km/s, usually from areas near the Sun’s equator.

   
   


2. 
   

   Fast solar wind: Can reach speeds up to 800 km/s, often coming from coronal holes, where magnetic field lines are open.

   
   

The solar wind interacts with the magnetic fields of planets. On Earth, it shapes the magnetosphere, causes geomagnetic storms, and is responsible for natural light displays known as auroras in polar regions. If solar wind were only electrons or only protons, it would not remain electrically balanced. The mixture of both particles keeps the solar wind overall electrically neutral.

The solar wind flows outward from the Sun continuously and does not revolve around it. This outward flow carries the Sun’s magnetic field far into space, creating what scientists call the heliosphere, a protective bubble that surrounds our solar system. The correct answer is Protons and electrons; flows out from the Sun.