This image shows how electrons will circle around a magnetic field line one way and a proton will circle in the opposite direction.
Movie adapted from original clips provided courtesy of Professor Patricia Reiff, Rice University, Connections Program.
Movie adapted from original clips provided courtesy of Professor Patricia Reiff, Rice University, Connections Program.
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Basic Facts About Spiral Motion
Protons and electrons can't move across magnetic field lines very easily. So sometimes these particles are are forced to spiral around them. Electrons cirle the field line in one direction, protons in the opposite direction.
