H⁺ protons
F0 rotor (c-ring)
F1 head (fixed)
ATP released
This 2D companion draws the same rotary chemiosmosis mechanism as the 3D scene in a flat side-view schematic: protons fall through the membrane and spin the F0 rotor at a rate set by the chosen gradient, and every 120° click of the stalk lights a catalytic site on the fixed F1 head and, if enough ADP and phosphate are available, ejects a fresh ATP particle — making the coupling between proton flow, rotor speed and ATP output directly readable.