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Old 05-12-2012, 07:19 AM
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Weltevreden SA (Dana)
Dana in SA

Weltevreden SA is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nieu Bethesda, Karoo, South Africa
Posts: 216
Magnetic fields & electron flow in galaxies

Hi all, magnetic fields propagate at right angles to the direction of electron flow. i.e., in a "tube" running parallel to an electric current. Many spirals have magnetic fields that roughly follow the directional rotation of the arms. In which way do the electrons flow? If at a right angle, do they move toward the centre or outer reaches of the arm, or do they stream outward from the galaxy into the intergalactic medium? Clearly they won't go far because the disk-following magnetic fields weaken rapidly above or below the galactic plane. Does anyone know or have a link to electron propagation in galaxies?
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