Question

What is magnetic reconnection?

Answer 1

Magnetic reconnection refers to the breaking and reconnecting of oppositely directed magnetic field lines in a plasma.

Explanation:

In this process, magnetic field energy is converted to plasma kinetic and thermal energy. Solar magnetic activity, including flares, can eject high energy charged particles into space .

Reconnection occurs wherever charged gases, called plasma, are present. Changing magnetic fields affect the way charged particles move and vice versa . (SOURCE: NASA).

Magnetic reconnection is a physical process in highly conducting plasmas in which the magnetic topology is rearranged and magnetic energy is converted to kinetic energy, thermal energy, and particle acceleration. (SOURCE: Wikipedia).

Here's a small video on it by NASA:

NASA-Magnetic Reconnection

Hope it Helps :)