Differential Rotation

Differential rotation occurs when different parts of a rotating object, like the Sun, spin at different speeds. On the Sun, the equator rotates faster than the poles. This variation in rotation speeds creates complex magnetic fields and influences solar activity, like sunspots and solar flares. Instead of rotating as a solid body, the Sun’s outer layers experience this uneven spin, which affects how energy and magnetic fields move within it. This phenomenon highlights how large, gaseous objects can have non-uniform rotation patterns, shaping their internal and surface dynamics.