A charge at rest does not feel the magnetic field: magnetism only “sees” moving charges. The force is the famous Lorentz force F=qv×B\vec{F} = q\,\vec{v}\times\vec{B}. This section gives its law and the right-hand rule, then explores the consequences when vB\vec{v}\perp\vec{B}: circular motion, the velocity selector, the mass spectrometer and the cyclotron.

Try it — interactive simulation

A charge in a uniform magnetic field: the Lorentz force bends the path into a helix. Adjust speed and field, flip the charge sign; drag to rotate the scene. Radius and period of the motion are shown below the controls.