A rail gun uses electromagnetic forces to accelerate a projectile to very high v

Question

A rail gun uses electromagnetic forces to accelerate a projectile to very high velocities. The basic mechanism of acceleration is relatively simple and can be illustrated in the following example. A metal rod of mass 50.0 g and electrical resistance 0.400 ohms rests on parallel horizontal rails that have negligible electric resistance. The rails are a distance = 5.00 cm apart. The rails are also connected to a voltage source providing a voltage of = 5.00 V .
The rod is placed in a vertical magnetic field. The rod begins to slide when the field reaches the value = 0.392 T . Assume that the rod has a slightly flattened bottom so that it slides instead of rolling. Use 9.80m/s for the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity.

Explanation / Answer

given that

        mass of the rod is =50g=50x10-3 Kg

                                        resistance of the rod=0.400

             the distance between two parallel rails = 5cm=5x10-2 m

               voltage applied across the rails =5 V

              Magnetic field induction is =0.392 T

                         Current i= E/R = 5/0.4 =12.5 Amp

   the force acting on the rod is =Bil sin , here =900

          F= 0.392x12.5x5x10-2x1

           0.245 N

Normal force due to rod is =mg=50x10-3x9.8= 0.49 N

       Coefficient of static friction = s= F/mg

                                                         0.245/0.49 =0.5

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