Magnetic Reconnection
A fundamental plasma process where opposing magnetic field lines break and explosively reconnect, releasing stored magnetic field energy into kinetic and thermal particle energy.
Governing formula
E_reconnection ≈ M_A v_A B (Alfvénic Reconnection Rate)
SI unit
MW or Joules (Energy Conversion)
In depth
Violates the ideal MHD frozen-in flux condition in thin current sheets due to finite plasma resistivity or electron inertia, driving energetic solar flares and geomagnetic storms.
Examples in the real world
Solar coronal mass ejections releasing ~10²⁵ Joules of magnetic energy in solar atmospheric reconnection events.