Cosmic rays are charged particles that strike out atmosphere from some external source. We find that more low-energy cosmic rays reach the earth at the north and south magnetic poles than at the (magnetic) equator. Why it is so?

Explanation

The earth.s magnetic field is vertical at the poles, which implies that it is parallel to the velocity of the charged particles in cosmic rays. So, no force will act on the charged particles. At the equator, however, the earth.s magnetic field is horizontal, which implies that it is perpendicular to the velocity of the charged particles. Maximum force will act on the charged particles in this case. For this reason, the low energy particles are deflected sideways and only the high-energy particles are able to reach equator.