A Mechanism of Acquirement of Cosmic-Ray Energies by Electrons

Abstract

It is shown that the growth of stellar magnetic fields such as occur in sunspots can give rise according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction to electric fields capable of giving electrons energies corresponding to ${10}^{10}$ volts. Moreover, the rate of acquirement of energy can reasonably be greater than the rate of loss by collisions with atoms. It would be difficult to realize energies as high as ${10}^{10}$ volts from the magnetic fields of spots such as occur on the sun. Energies corresponding to ${10}^9$ volts are, however, within the range of possibility, and it is suggested that electrons projected from such spots may play a part in auroral phenomena. For cosmic rays one must, however, probably look to the stars for the necessary conditions. Because of the repulsion of the current responsible for the magnetic field, the electron is hurled away from the spot as it acquires its energy.