If Earth’s magnetic field emanates from the interior of the earth outward, and magnetosphere is large enough and strong enough to deflect electrified particles thrown by solar flares, how are we able to direct narrow bands of magnetic fields while living within a giant magnetic field? E.g. transfer electricity along utility lines by directing magnetic fields around the wires?
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The magnetosphere is very big because the earth is very big, but it isn’t really that strong. The magnetic force exerted by the magnetosphere is something like 150-400 times weaker than that of a common magnet. It’s just very big, and the charged particles hitting it in space are very small. Even a common magnet would be enough to deflect these particles if you brought it to space, it just wouldn’t be very effective in doing so because of how tiny it’s range is.
The other part of the question I’m not clear on. We don’t use magnetic fields to direct energy through utility lines – that’s just current flowing through wires. It does generate a magnetic field, but that’s a consequence of electricity passing through the wires, not what is causing it to move.
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