Magnetic reconnection and thermal equilibration

When a magnetic field is forced to evolve on time scale $\tau_{ev}$, as by footpoint motions driving the solar corona or non-axisymmetric instabilities in tokamaks, lines undergo large-scale changes topology approximately an order of magnitude longer than $\tau_{ev}$. But, physics that allows such operates eight more orders slower. An analogous phenomenon occurs air. Temperature equilibration it takes air cross room, although physical mechanism temperature four slower The use Lagrangian coordinates fundamental equations be solved and both phenomena explained. paradigms presumptions traditional theories reconnection are so ingrained understanding gained from analyses using has been largely ignored. thermal developed parallel help readers obtain importance implications coordinates.