An RF cavity stores an oscillating electromagnetic field. Its longitudinal electric field does work on a correctly phased bunch, with energy gain ΔE=qVRFTsinϕs for a chosen phase convention and transit-time factor T. The bunch arrival time is synchronized so successive gaps accelerate rather than decelerate it. The magnetic force guides and focuses the beam but does no work.
A linear acceleratoruses new accelerating structures along its path; celllengths and timing accommodate the particle speed, and each bunch normally traverses a given section once. A circular synchrotron reuses the same RF cavities each revolution. Its synchronous phase supplies both acceleration and radiation replacement; RF frequency or harmonic synchronization and bending-field strength follow the required orbit and particle speed. Longitudinal phase stability captures nearby particles into RF buckets.