Why do magnets in a Gauss gun exhibit backward drift after being hit?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of backward drift observed in magnets within a Gauss gun after impact, as filmed at 300fps. The backward drift is attributed to the principle of conservation of momentum, which explains the recoil effect experienced by the magnets. This recoil occurs as the magnets are propelled forward, resulting in an equal and opposite reaction that causes them to drift backward. The analysis confirms that this behavior aligns with fundamental physics principles rather than indicating a misunderstanding of physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a Gauss gun
  • Basic knowledge of magnetism
  • Experience with high-speed video analysis
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  • Study the effects of recoil in projectile motion
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Physics enthusiasts, educators, and students interested in experimental mechanics, as well as hobbyists building or studying Gauss guns and related phenomena.

Aleks
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So I was building a Gaussian gun for physics filming it at 300fps. See video:
http://youtu.be/hZcAk3uBp58

While skipping frame by frame, I realized that all the magnets started drifting backwards after being hit. Can someone explain in detail what is going on? Sorry if my physics is not advanced enough here, but it's either something really simple or I just broke physics.

I'm sure you're all familiar with the Gauss Gun, but if not - see one of my (attached) slides showing a dumbed down version of what it is.
 

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That's just recoil. Aka conservation of momentum.