a positively charged ion, due to a cosmic ray, is headed through earth's atmosphere toward the center of Earth. Due to Earth's magnetic field, the ion will be delfected:

East direction

Explanation:

Given that

Charge on the particle is positive.

Moving towards the center of earth .

We know that N(north ) pole in magnetic fields work as source of magnetic lines and S(South ) pole works and sink for magnetic lines.

Therefore due to the earth magnetic fields , the positive ions will deflect  towards  East direction.

Thus the answer will be East direction.

the independent variable, the one that is intentionally manipulated, is whether or not the car hits the barrier.

the dependent variable, the one that you measure the response in, is the distance that the washers travel.