Abstract
The motion of a charged particle in a magnetic mirror device is compared to the motion of a bead spiralling into a smooth hollow cone. The complete solution of the motion of the bead is derived and physical aspects of the solution obtained are discussed. Similarities between the motion of the bead and that of a charged particle in a magnetic mirror device are pointed out. The effort is primarily aimed at enhancing the physical understanding of the mechanics of a charged particle in a magnetic mirror device and secondarily at proposing an equivalent mechanics problem, devoid of any electro-dynamical aspect but still possessing all the interesting features of the original problem. The proposed problem can be taught at upper-division undergraduate level.
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