A device called a railgun uses the magnetic force on currents to launch projecti

Question

A device called a railgun uses the magnetic force on currents to launch projectiles at very high speeds. An idealized model of a railgun is illustrated in (Figure 1) A 1.2 V power supply is connected to two conducting rails. A segment of copper wire, in a region of uniform magnetic field, slides freely on the rails. The wire has a 0.78 m Ohm resistance and a mass of 4.8 g. Ignore the resistance of the rails. The power supply is switched on. What is the current? Express your answer with the appropriate units. I = What is direction of the force on the wire? left down up right What is the magnitude of the force on the wire? Express your answer with the appropriate units. F = What will be the wire's speed after it has slid a distance of 5.0 cm ? Express your answer with the appropriate units. vf =

Explanation / Answer

(a)

I = e/R = 1.2/0.78 * 10^-3 = 1.53 * 10^3 A

(b)

From the Fleming right rule the direction of the force is toward right

(c)

F = ILB = 1.53 * 10^3 ( 0.15 ) ( 0.80) = 184.61 N

(d)

a= F/m = 184.61/4.8 * 10^-3 = 38.46 * 10^3 m/s^2

vf = sqrt 2a dex = sqrt 2 ( 38.46 * 10^3) (0.06) = 67.93 m/s

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.