Editing Lorentz force (section)

== Trajectories of particles due to the Lorentz force ==
{{Main|Guiding center}}
[[File:charged-particle-drifts.svg|upright=1.4|thumbnail|right|Charged particle drifts in a homogeneous magnetic field. (A) No disturbing force. (B) With an electric field, {{math|'''E'''}}. (C) With an independent force, {{math|'''F'''}} (e.g. gravity). (D) In an inhomogeneous magnetic field, {{math|grad '''H'''}}.]]
In many cases of practical interest, the motion in a [[magnetic field]] of an [[electric charge|electrically charged]] particle (such as an [[electron]] or [[ion]] in a [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]]) can be treated as the [[Quantum superposition|superposition]] of a relatively fast circular motion around a point called the '''guiding center''' and a relatively slow '''drift''' of this point. The drift speeds may differ for various species depending on their charge states, masses, or temperatures, possibly resulting in electric currents or chemical separation.