Final answer:
The magnetosphere protects life on Earth by deflecting harmful charged particles from the solar wind and extending as far as the orbit of the Moon in the direction away from the Sun.
Step-by-step explanation:
The magnetosphere protects life on Earth by deflecting harmful charged particles from the solar wind, which is a stream of high-energy particles emitted by the Sun. These particles are deflected around the Earth's magnetosphere and prevented from reaching the surface, thus protecting life on Earth from their potentially damaging effects.
The magnetosphere extends from about 60,000 kilometers (10 Earth radii) in the direction of the Sun to as far as the orbit of the Moon in the direction away from the Sun. It acts as a protective shield around the Earth, safeguarding the planet and its inhabitants.
By trapping and redirecting charged particles, the magnetosphere plays a crucial role in maintaining the habitable conditions on Earth.