Electro magnectic storms and computers?

Question

I know that solar flares have caused power failures in the past .
is it possible that solar flares could erase all computer data all in one go . or at all. ? if it has when and will it?

Answer 1

hmmm....

there was recently a book written as fiction about the very fact of a major solar flare devastating the world of electronics. Solar Flare: A Novel by Larry Burkett, delves into just what type of impact it could have on the world. its worth a read.

Answer 2

No, that's not possible.

In order to generate sufficient electrical energy to affect electrical components from solar flare require sufficient length of wire. Wires inside computers and chips are not long enough to generate that much energy from magnetic flux.

If a nuclear bomb is to go off in close proximity, it could happen, but then again, the machine will be destroyed also.

Answer 3

like we say don't expose magnetic tapes to sunlight or any kind of virgirous energy, this also has a particular reason. it's related to diamagnetic substances and the behaviour of dipole atoms.(which every atom is). such a powerful solar flare would not even erase all the computer data it would also zap us. but their is a fair chance that it cannot destroy the net which can again originate the basis of developing the computers , so nothing is lost.(except for us ourselves).

Answer 4

I doubt it. Computers are better protected now from crash due to power failures. so if you have the latest computer, you are in good hands. Good enough, yes?

Answer 5

No ... no way !. Power failutres happen beacaue hundreds of miles of power distribution wire act like antennas. You have nothing like that in your computer.

Answer 6

If it were one helluva solar flair and your computer was completely unshielded, then yes you could I suppose.