The modern electrical world probably begins August 26, 1895, when water flowing

Question

The modern electrical world probably begins August 26, 1895, when water flowing over Niagara Falls was diverted through high-speed turbines that were coupled to two 5,000-horsepower generators. The following year electricity was transmitted twenty miles by wire to the city of Buffalo, where it was used for lighting and street cars. And so the electric age started, but it wasn’t until the 1920s and the rise of radio that most of the country enjoyed this new power source.

And here we are 100 years later and electricity has become the life blood of our world. Virtually every aspect of our lives is touched by and controlled by the fact that electrons flow. But what happens if that is no longer true. As we become more technologically advanced, we also become more vulnerable and dependent on electricity and the tools and gadgets it provides for us.

In the 1800s no one was concerned about the presence or absence of electricity. In the 21st century society would be under considerable stress without it. Could this happen - well we hope not, but there are two elements – one; natural CMEs, and one man made – EMP from nuclear explosions which could disrupt the flow of electrons.

1. Has a CME hit the earth in recent times (last 50 years) and what were the consequences? When is the next solar cycle most likely to produce one of these?

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

CME= Coronal mass ejection: It is actually the release of huge quantity of matter and electromagnetic radiation from the solar corona. They are originates from the active regions of the sunspots.

In recent years, major hit was in 1989 in quebec, due to geomagnetic storm the region had suffered from loss of electricity over a large extent including failure of the power grids and power stations, and also affected the radio communicatios of that region.

According to the scientists the current solar cycle (solar cycle 24), would comprises active sunspots and it is being estimated by the NASA that there is chances of next CME on earth is between 2012 and 2022.

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