B Magnetic Fields and Particle Movement: How Do Magnets Affect Electrons?

[gmoney909]

I was wondering -- does a magnetic field repel or attract electrons ? Also when you place two magnets together with the same polarity and you feel that pressure - what is this called and can protons or electrons pass through this field -- thanks for the help

 

[Ibix]

does a magnetic field repel or attract electrons ?

Neither. You get a force in the direction perpendicular to both the field and the velocity of the electron. Look up the Lorentz force if you are familiar with cross products of vectors, or Fleming's Left Hand Rule if you aren't.

Also when you place two magnets together with the same polarity and you feel that pressure - what is this called

Magnetic repulsion, usually.

can protons or electrons pass through this field

Sure. Changing magnetic fields is one way to steer an electron (or any other kind of charged particle) beam.