Larmor radius: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:16, 19 February 2010

The Larmor radius is the radius of gyration of a charged particle moving in a magnetic field. Balancing the Lorentz Force

\vec{F} = q \vec{v} \times \vec{B}

with the centripetal force, whose magnitude is

F = \frac{m v^{2}}{r}

One immediately obtains

r_{L} = \frac{m}{q} \frac{v_{⊥}}{B}

where only the perpendicular component of the velocity (with respect to the magnetic field) enters.

Revision as of 18:14, 19 February 2010 view source Admin (talk \| contribs) Bureaucrats, Administrators 4,475 edits Created page with 'The Larmor radius is the radius of gyration of a charged particle moving in a magnetic field. Balancing the Lorentz Force :<math>\vec F = q \vec v \times \vec B</math> with the…'		Revision as of 18:16, 19 February 2010 view source Admin (talk \| contribs) Bureaucrats, Administrators 4,475 edits No edit summary Newer edit →
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	:<math>r_L = \frac{m}{q} \frac{v_\perp}{B}</math>		:<math>r_L = \frac{m}{q} \frac{v_\perp}{B}</math>

	where only the perpendicular component of the velocity enters.		where only the perpendicular component of the velocity (with respect to the magnetic field) enters.