Where is the electron in this picture.

Spinnor

The path of an electron in a magnetron is shown along with the electric field, see below. Assume the electric field shown is maximum at time t. Without calculation can you argue and approximate where along the electron path is the most likely positions of the electron at time t?

Picture in, An Introduction to Microwaves, page 54, F. A. Wilson.

Thanks for any help!

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Spinnor

Could we safely say it can't be at the 12:00 and 3:00 positions as the electron gains energy in those positions?

Spinnor

Assume the magnetron above is one for a microwave and is producing microwave energy. Does the answer above change much if the output of the magnetron is "closed"?

Thanks for your help!

Spinnor

Could we argue that with the output closed the integral of the work done by the time varying electric field in the magnetron on the electron averages nearly to zero ( zero except for the loses of a closed magnetron)?

Spinnor

Better to say above that the electron is least likely to be found at the 12:00 and 3:00 positions?