If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ? 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail. 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. 3. Power grids could be damaged. 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. 5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. 7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Describes geomagnetic storms driven by coronal mass ejections and notes a 'ring current' — a large electric current that circles the Earth during magnetic storms.

A student could extend this by noting that large space‑current systems can induce voltages in long ground-connected conductors (like power lines), potentially harming transformers and grid equipment.

Defines the solar wind as a stream of energized, charged particles (plasma) from the Sun with high speeds.

Combine this with the idea that arriving charged particle streams (CME shocks) disturb Earth's magnetic environment and can drive the currents mentioned in (1) that affect infrastructure.

Lists effects of solar wind on Earth including auroras and 'disturbance of radio signals', i.e., that solar activity can disrupt human technology.

A student could generalize that if radio systems are disturbed by solar events, other long-range electrical systems (power grids) might also be vulnerable via electromagnetic effects.

States solar particles can be harmful and that Earth's magnetic field acts as a protective shield against them.

One can infer that when the magnetosphere is strongly disturbed (weakened or compressed during storms), more energetic particles/current systems reach near-Earth space and ground, increasing risk to surface infrastructure.

Explains that a planet's magnetosphere deflects solar wind particles, implying that magnetic-field disturbances change how particles interact with the planet.

A student could reason that significant magnetospheric disturbance (during CMEs) alters current flows and coupling to the ground, enabling geomagnetically induced currents in power networks.

Describes coronal mass ejections producing geomagnetic storms at Earth (arriving in ~2 days) and generating large electric currents around the planet.

A student could combine this with basic physics to ask whether induced currents or magnetospheric changes can heat or ignite vegetation at the surface.

States that a planet's magnetosphere deflects solar wind particles, protecting the atmosphere; planets lacking a strong field are more vulnerable to atmospheric effects.

One could compare Earth (with a strong magnetosphere) to bodies without one to judge whether solar particle bombardment is sufficient to reach/heat Earth's surface to ignition levels.

Notes solar wind particles can harm the atmosphere and ozone but that Earth's magnetic field acts as a protective shield keeping life safe.

A student could use this to assess whether residual solar-particle effects, after magnetospheric shielding, are likely strong enough at ground level to start widespread fires.

Lists known terrestrial effects of solar wind (auroras, radio disturbances, possible influences on weather), implying typical impacts are electromagnetic or atmospheric rather than direct ignition.

Compare these common effects with the physical requirements for ignition (temperature, energy delivery) to judge plausibility of direct fire-starting by solar storms.

Explains pyrocumulonimbus clouds and lightning generated by intense fires, showing a mechanism where fires produce further ignitions via atmospheric processes — i.e., fires can spread by their own induced weather.

Use this to distinguish between (a) solar storms directly igniting vegetation and (b) fires spreading through fire-generated weather once started by terrestrial causes.