Reading Passage Question

The magnetic field of Jupiter is approximately twenty to thirty times stronger than that of Earth. Because of its size and great distance from the sun, Jupiter has a magnetosphere that is considerably larger than the magnetosphere of Earth. If we could see the Jovian magnetosphere from Earth, it would appear close to the size of the moon in the sky, despite our great distance from Jupiter.

Jupiter's magnetosphere has three distinct regions. The inner region is doughnut-shaped, with the planet in the hole of the doughnut. This region is similar to Earth's inner magnetosphere, but more intense, and contains several shells where protons and electrons of enormous energies concentrate, as they do in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. Jupiter's small innermost satellite, Amalthea, and three of its large satellites, Io, Europa, and Ganymede, travel through this inner region. The middle region of Jupiter's magnetosphere has no Earthly counterpart.

This middle region is a sheath of electrically charged particles whirled around rapidly by the rotation of Jupiter's magnetic field. These particles strongly distort the intrinsic magnetic field of Jupiter.

The outer region is similar to the outer magnetosphere of Earth, in that its shape is affected by the solar wind, a blizzard of electrons and protons that blows across space from the sun. The solar wind often forces the magnetic field of Jupiter back toward the planet, squeezing the magnetosphere as though it were a great air-filled bag. Leaks develop, from which high-energy particles 'squirt' across the solar system. Some of these particles have been detected in the atmospheres of Earth and Mercury by orbiting and interplanetary spacecraft.

The energized particles in the Jovian magnetosphere appear to have several sources. Some originate in the planet's ionosphere; others appear to be injected into the magnetosphere from the surface of the satellites. Io, in particular, is believed to interact with the Jovian magnetic field to produce energetic electrons, while volcanic activity on Io and the bombardment of Io's surface with energetic particles are believed to be responsible for releasing sodium, potassium, and sulfur ions into the magnetosphere. These atoms and ions form neutral clouds around Io and a doughnut-shaped torus of ions circling Jupiter in the plane of the magnetic equator.

Investigations of this complex toric region of plasma, where gas is fully ionized, are important in understanding not only the magnetosphere of Earth, but other plasmas in general. Since most of the intensely energetic processes of the universe take place in plasmas, their study is important to future energy research, particularly in fusion power. The dynamic magnetosphere of Jupiter provides us with a unique laboratory for the study of these and other aspects of astrophysics.

“The magnetic field of Jupiter is approximately twenty to thirty times” is a GMAT reading comprehension passage. The candidates need to train themselves to build up a strong understanding of English GMAT reading comprehension. The GMAT Reading Comprehension section generally includes four sets of comprehension questions along with a series of answer choices. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions ask the candidates to test their skill level. It helps the candidates to comprehend the passage concept and enables them to apply ideas. The candidate can brush up their knowledge by practising these GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solutions and Explanation

1. The passage states which of the following about the solar wind?

1. It is a major source of the energetic particles found in Jupiter's magnetosphere.
2. It has a distorting effect on the contour of Jupiter's magnetosphere.
3. It produces particles that have been detected near Earth's orbit.
4. It exerts a powerful gravitational attraction upon the magnetosphere of Jupiter.
5. It is considerably stronger at the orbit of Jupiter than at that of Earth.

2. The passage provides information to answer which of the following questions?

1. Where is the ionosphere of Jupiter located in relation to its magnetosphere?
2. What is the total number of Jovian satellites?
3. What causes the toric shape of plasma?
4. Is it possible to observe the Jovian magnetosphere with the naked eye from Earth?
5. What is the effect of volcanic activity on the surface of Jupiter upon the planet's magnetosphere?

3. The passage provides information about how the magnetosphere of Jupiter compares with that of Earth in which of the following ways?

1. Strength
2. Size
3. Structure

1. I only
2. II only
3. I and II only
4. I and III only
5. I, II, and III

4. According to the passage, which of the following statements about Io is FALSE?

1. Its surface is under bombardment by energetic particles.
2. It orbits Jupiter in the inner ring of the magnetosphere.
3. It is one source of the ions found orbiting Jupiter.
4. It appears to be marked by volcanic activity.
5. It is one of the smallest satellites of Jupiter.

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