Rail gun

[knunn]

Im currently making (or trying to make) a rail gun, a very small one with a 9 volt batery and little pits of foil and so on. So far what iv done is put down 2 strips of foil, put a 9 volt batery on the end so each terminal has a bit of foil on it, and dropped a bit of steel onto the track. All it does now is spark and heat up. Iv exparemented with

Comments

[hhgg42]

you need a magnetic projectile

http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/electro/railgun/railgun.html

and instead of a TV, try a wall outlet. Much more power =)

[knunn]

iv looked at that article before, the magnets are used to boost the projectile so it doesnt need as much power. by running a current through a piece of metal it creats an electo-magnetic field around it which is why most rail guns dont need magnets. i think i might just need more powa captin! or perhaps a better conductor will make a better field? (cuz the field is from the movement of electrons, so more electrons moving means more magnetism?) i think ill try copper wen i find some.

Amy if you are reading this, no, dont try a wall outlet. Tv go for it, wall, no.

[hhgg42]

try a 12 volt car battery. But if you do, make sure you use a resistor too, so you don't get a short (the engines going to blow, cap'n, I don't know how much longer she can hold together!) and all that

[knunn]

12 volts wont be enough, currently my little zappy gas lighter thing is putting out well over 12 volts, like in the hundres or possiably thousands range and it still doesnt move. maybe amps are needed? im gona by a few little capaciters, and im gona make a cattle prod :) and a tesla coil for killin bugs, and an EMP generator. Capacitors are such fun things...