It is well known that while the real numbers are totally ordered, they are not algebraically closed, and while the complex numbers are algebraically closed, they are not totally ordered. Is it possible to construct a totally ordered algebraically closed field? If so, an example would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
No, we cannot do it.
No field of positive characteristic can be totally ordered: since $1$ is a square, it must be greater than $0$, and then so are $1$, $1+1$, $1+1+1$, etc; but if the characteristic is $p\gt 0$, then $1+1+\cdots+1$ with $p$ summands is both positive and equal to $0$ which is impossible.
So a totally ordered field must be of characteristic zero. In particular, $-1\neq 1$.
Since $1\gt 0$, then $-1\lt 0$. If your field contains a root of $x^2+1$, call it (for lack of a better name) $i$, then $i^2=-1$; but this means that $-1$ is positive, because it is a square. This contradicts the fact that $-1$ is negative. So no totally ordered field can contain a root of $x^2+1$, let alone be algebraically closed.
Suppose by contradiction that you have such an order.
Pick an element $a<0$. The equation $x^2=a$ has a root. But then $x<0$, $x=0$ or $x>0$, all implying that $x^2 \geq 0$.
