Coil Gun: How It Works & Physics Behind It

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Poseidonho
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Coil Gun Work
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics of coil guns, specifically the relationship between electric voltage, current, and magnetic fields. It is established that the magnetic field strength is determined by the current flowing through a conductor, as outlined by Ampere's law. The conversion of magnetic force to mechanical force is also addressed, emphasizing the importance of current in generating the necessary magnetic fields for propulsion. Techniques such as solenoids are mentioned as methods to enhance magnetic field strength.

PREREQUISITES
  • Ampere's Law
  • Understanding of solenoids
  • Basic electrical concepts (voltage, current, resistance)
  • Knowledge of magnetic fields and forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical relationship between current and magnetic field strength using Ampere's Law.
  • Learn about the design and operation of solenoids for enhancing magnetic fields.
  • Explore the mechanics of converting magnetic force to mechanical force in coil guns.
  • Investigate the differences between coil guns and rail guns, focusing on their operational principles.
USEFUL FOR

Physics enthusiasts, electrical engineers, hobbyists building coil guns, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetism and propulsion technologies.

Poseidonho
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
What is the physics behind coil gun.

For the magnetic field part, that is convert a electric voltage to the magnetic field. How the magnetic field related to the voltage?
Is there any equation for the conversion the voltage to the magnetic field, maxwell or others?


After that, the magnetic field will push to metal bullet, in this case is it the force is convert from magnetic force to the mechanical force? How to calculate the mechanical force from the magnetic field?

Thanks a lot
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Every current has an associated magnetic field - see Ampere's law.

When you arrange the current carrying wire appropriately you can increase the magnetic field strength - see solenoids.

When the current is pulsed correctly a metal object can be moved ... do it right and you have a magnetic coil gun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coilgun

For other techniques see magnetic rail guns: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Poseidonho said:
What is the physics behind coil gun.

For the magnetic field part, that is convert a electric voltage to the magnetic field. How the magnetic field related to the voltage?
Is there any equation for the conversion the voltage to the magnetic field, maxwell or others?

It's not the voltage that determines the magnetic field, it's the current. The voltage and resistance set the current flow.
 
UltrafastPED said:
Every current has an associated magnetic field - see Ampere's law.

When you arrange the current carrying wire appropriately you can increase the magnetic field strength - see solenoids.

When the current is pulsed correctly a metal object can be moved ... do it right and you have a magnetic coil gun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coilgun

For other techniques see magnetic rail guns: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun



For the rail gun, the magnetic field on rail do not play any role, Right?
 
Drakkith said:
It's not the voltage that determines the magnetic field, it's the current. The voltage and resistance set the current flow.


Thanks,

by the way do we can equal the magnetic force to mechanical force?
 

Similar threads

High School How does mechanical motion start at the deepest, smallest level?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
Undergrad How induction works within a coil (nuances of it)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Determine the force with which the magnetic field of a coil acts on an infinitesimal cube of iron
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Undergrad Is This Correct Description of Magnetic Saturation?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School Experiment issues (electromagnetism)
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
3K
How does a Permanent capacitor motor actually work?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Magnetic force driving a small iron ball
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Bernoulli, lift and cause & effect
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
Graduate How Does Magnetic Force Affect a Falling Coil's Velocity and Kinetic Energy?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Undergrad Coil Around A Tube - Iron Cylinder Inside Tube - How Many Turns Needed?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K