Gauss Rifle – Magnetic Accelerator

This model presents a Gauss rifle. It is a physics experiment that uses magnets to launch steel ball bearings at high speeds. A Gauss rifle is also called a magnetic linear accelerator. Rolling the first ball will give it initial kinetic energy. The first magnet exerts a force on the steel ball which accelerates it. It is increasing its kinetic energy. When the ball collides with the first magnet it comes to rest. Energy must be conserved. The kinetic energy of the ball is transferred to the magnet. The magnet transfers the energy to the second ball, which transfers the energy to the third ball. This energy causes the third ball to move towards the second magnet and the whole process is repeating again. After each collision, the moving ball has a velocity higher than the ball that was previously moving.