Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2009 / ia / Paper 4 / 12A / a / Solution

With no electric field, the Lorentz force isFor nonrelativistic motion, the work-energy theorem givesConsequently $\boxed{K(t)=K(0)}$. The reason is geometric: magnetic forces do no work because they are perpendicular to the instantaneous velocity. They can change its direction but not its magnitude. The same energy conclusion holds relativistically, using $dE/dt=\mathbf{F}\cdot \mathbf{v}$ and subtracting the constant rest energy to obtain kinetic energy.