Sun's Corona Paradox: Temperature Defying Laws of Thermodynamics

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    Corona Paradox
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SUMMARY

The Sun's corona exhibits temperatures reaching millions of degrees Celsius, significantly higher than the surface temperature of approximately 6000 degrees Celsius. This phenomenon does not violate the laws of thermodynamics; rather, it is attributed to the dynamics of the Sun's magnetic fields. The interaction of these magnetic fields, described as "whips," contributes to the heating of the corona through energy transformation and magnetic reconnection processes. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for grasping the coronal heating problem.

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Je m'appelle
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Why is the sun's corona temperature around millions of degrees celsius while the sun's surface is about 6000 degrees celsius?

Doesn't that defies the laws of thermodynamics?
 
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Please elaborate on how it defies the laws of thermodynamics. I'm a bit of a newcomer on this topic.
 
This could be due to the moving magnetic fields of the Sun. I've always thought of it as a lot of magnetic 'whips' inside the Sun, bursting out into the corona, and when so many whips come together at that altitude, the temperature rises. Or, when new loops form and collapse, this will raise the temperature as well.

Energy is simply changing forms, which obeys the laws of thermodynamics.

Cheers,
--Jake
 

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