In this video I show that space curves can be used to model charged particle motion in orthogonally oriented electric and magnetic fields. Depending on the speed and position of a charged particle, the motion is either a cycloid or a trochoid (a more general version of a cycloid). I then take a detour into the mainstream physics of charged particle motion in electromagnetic fields in general, and read up on magnetic mirrors, null lines, Earth's magnetic field lines, Van Allen Belts, and the Northern Lights. Buckle up! YouTube - Summary - Notes - Playlist - Vector Functions playlist
#math #nuclear #electromagnetism #GeoGebra #physics