A cyclotron operates through a "division of labour" where a magnetic field steers a particle into a circular path without doing work, while an electric field provides periodic energy boosts . Because the magnetic force is always perpendicular to the particle's velocity, it can only change the particle's direction, not its speed . However, the "magic" of the cyclotron lies in the constant orbital period; even as the particle gains speed and its spiral trajectory expands, the time required to complete each half-circle remains constant regardless of its velocity or radius . This physical principle allows the simulation to accurately model the acceleration process by applying discrete velocity boosts at fixed intervals, confirming that the calculated timing matches the theoretical constant predicted by the particle's mass, charge, and the magnetic field strength .
