Inclusion of the inductive electric field, ${ \bf E}_{ \rm ind}$ due to the temporally changing ${ \bf B}$, in magnetic explosions is discussed, with emphasis on solar flares. Several roles played by ${ \bf E}_{ \rm ind}$ are identified: on a global scale, ${ \bf E}_{ \rm ind}$ produces the EMF that drives the explosion; the associated ${ \bf E}_{ \rm ind}\times{ \bf B}$ drift is identified with the inflow of magnetic field lines into a reconnection region; the polarization current, associated with $\partial{ \bf E}_{ \rm ind}/\partial t$, implies a ${ \bf J}\times{ \bf B}$ force that accelerates this inflow; and the component of ${ \bf E}_{ \rm ind}$ parallel to ${ \bf B}$ accelerates the energetic electrons that cause hard X-ray emission and type III radio bursts. Some simple models that describe these effects are presented. A resolution of the long-standing "number problem" in solar flares is suggested.
Categories: astro-ph.SR