2. What to expect (Table of Contents)
About me
Design
How it Works
Comparison to Gunpowder
Applications
Recap
Resources
Questions
3. Zachary Guillot
Born in Louisiana
Graduated Covington High School
Attending University of Tennessee
A gamer
4. Design
Power Supply – the source of
electric current
Rails – a length of conductive
metal
Armature – the bridge
between the rails, made of a
conductive metal
Plasma armature – conductive
metal foil, current flows
through and super heats the
metal foil.
The picture above shows the design of a standard railgun.
Picture from how it works
5. How it Works
Powered by Lorentz Force
F=(i)(L)(B)
Acceleration
Amplify the effects
Length
Current
The picture above shows how the forces in a railgun work.
Picture form how it works
6. Comparison to Gunpowder
Electromagnetic
Acceleration – 16000 m/s2
Acceleration is caused by magnetic
force.
Ammunition is not ready to fire until
power is applied.
Extreme amounts of heat are
produced.
Magnetic forces can pull the gun apart.
Gunpowder
• Acceleration – 1219 m/s2
• Acceleration caused by gunpowder
Explosive force
• Ammunition is fully primed, so misfires can
occur.
• Manageable heat is produced.
• Explosion forces will not typically damage
the gun.
