What is the concept describing different parts of the Sun rotating at different rates based on latitude?
Answer
differential rotation
The Sun does not spin like a rigid, solid object such as a compact marble; instead, it exhibits differential rotation. This physical characteristic is a direct consequence of its fluid composition—plasma—which allows different regions to move independently of others. Specifically, the rate of rotation is dependent upon the observer's latitude. Regions closer to the center of the star, such as the equator, complete a rotation in a shorter timeframe than regions nearer the poles. This differential motion is fundamental to solar physics, as it is the mechanism responsible for twisting and shearing the Sun's internal magnetic field lines, which ultimately drives the solar cycle.
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