medium · GMAT Verbal

Passage: The solar wind is a stream of charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, that are ejected from the Sun's corona and travel through the solar system at speeds of up to 800 kilometers per second. This wind is caused by the extreme temperature of the corona, which gives the particles enough kinetic energy to overcome the Sun's gravitational pull. As the solar wind moves outward, it interacts with planetary magnetic fields, creating magnetospheres. On Earth, the solar wind is deflected by our magnetic field, but some particles are funneled toward the poles, where they collide with atmospheric gases to create the auroras. The intensity of the solar wind varies with the solar cycle, peaking during periods of high solar activity known as solar maximum. During these times, powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections can significantly increase the density and speed of the wind, potentially disrupting satellite communications and power grids on Earth. It can be inferred from the passage that a planet without a magnetic field would.

1. Experience auroras at its equator rather than its poles.
2. Lack a magnetosphere to deflect the particles of the solar wind.
3. Rotate at a speed of 800 kilometers per second during a solar maximum.
4. Have a corona that is significantly cooler than the Sun's corona.
5. Be protected from the disruptive effects of coronal mass ejections.

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