DIY magnetic accelerator.

Magnets and small ball bearings make fun magnet activity. Use it to fight off velociraptors.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• magnets
• rail
• gun
• DIY
• projects
• science
• gauss

[aqrzproductions]

is the max energy a limit because of terminal velocity, where the initial force of launch reaches the same force of friction?

[Starcross42]

@aqrzproductions Yes. Attraction force is a function of the magnets. Stronger magnets = faster.

[SasquacthKid]

is it posible to get these free anywere i have no money and i am 12 so cant buy them and my parents wont get me some

[Starcross42]

@SasquacthKid You may already have the parts. There is a popular magnet toy that lets you build things, GEOMAG is one brand name. Steel balls and plastic pieces with magnets at either end. You have to remove the magnets from the plastic pieces but that works great.

[Starcross42]

@SasquacthKid And your home page says that you are 17. :)

[sailing96]

Hi, I'm going to be doing this or a science project and I was wondering if you can tell me some details about the magnets and ball bearings like pull strength, weight, etc. It does not have to be the same as the ones in the video, I just want to make one that is powerful enough to be impressive, but at the same time I do not want to be dangerous.

[Starcross42]

@sailing96 One of the adds on this video is for a company that sells magnets (actually a couple of companies sell magnets, but one is for hobbies and the other is for industry). I got 1/2 long rod magnets from the hobby company. I ordered a case of ball bearings from some industrial supply company but you can probably get a few at a hobby store or even an auto parts store. If you can't find them email me and I can hook you up. Good luck.

[alexgamer5555]

shit if u had one like in the begining and if it was a 100 feet long it would be powerful.

[renynzea]

@KaiserVadin A gauss gun would be the closest equivalent. A gauss weapon (aka coilgun) uses a series of magnets (generally electric) to accelerate the projectile. This is an example of how a multi-stage coil gun would work, with some obvious mechanical differences. The guy in the video calls it a rail gun, but a rail gun uses electrically charged rails to accelerate projectiles. This thing is not electric, so "gauss gun" is the closest equivalent.

[unambitious]

For those wondering why we don't use this for perpetual motion, the energy to reset the balls at each segment would require more energy than the projectile will ever have.

[bubbajohn55]

@KaiserVadin this is basically how gauss rifles work.

[Fr0stOverOswego]

"Use it to fight off velociraptors."

I don't quite understand the logic here.

At least I'm well equipped for zombies and/or toddler attacks.

[viva0la0life]

WHY ARE WE NOT USING THIS FOR PERPETUAL MOTION?! WHY?

[KaiserVadin]

Someone called this a gauss gun ?

[TheHappyWhaleshark]

guass rifle

[snlplus6]

if you made one in a circle your might be able to make a never ending cycle.