Average values of ﹩\boldsymbol{j}\boldsymbol{\times} \boldsymbol{B}/ \mid B\mid ﹩ vs. day of simulation, where the average is calculated over all the grid points in the computational box. The vertical lines denote the start/end times when the flux ropes start to lift off, the dashed lines denote the trailing bipole, the dash‐dotted lines denote the lead bipole, and the dash‐dot‐dot‐dotted lines denote the external PIL. The crosses denote the time at which field lines may be seen reconnecting at a QSL below the flux rope as it rises.