Rail Gun

 

Rail Gun Demo Picture

  • Demo is very reminiscent of Newton’s Cradle, but with one cool trick. Students expect that when one ball roles in, one ball roles out; and the final height of the outgoing ball is approximately equal to the starting height of the incoming ball .
  • However, one of the balls is highly magnetic (though identical in size and weight). This additional force causes the outgoing ball to shoot entirely off the track. See video at this link- http://www.arborsci.com/magnetic-accelerator.
  • Located in L02, section B-5