View source for Experimental Test of the Normal and Retrograde Railgun Accelerators

{{Infobox paper
| title = Experimental Test of the Normal and Retrograde Railgun Accelerators
| author = [[Francisco J M?ller]]
| keywords = [[Experiment]], [[Railgun]], [[Retrograde Acceleration]], [[Acceleration]]
| published = 2000
}}

==Abstract==

Aluminum and steel rods were used to demonstrate the normal (forward moving) and  abnormal (retrograde moving) railgun accelerators respectively. As horizontal rails, two  bronze rods were used about 3 feet long each. At one end of each rod a car battery  was clamped to electrify the system, which became a closed circuit at the moment of  laying the aluminum (or steel) rod across the two rails. Characteristically the aluminum  rod advanced in the forward direction as expected (away from the battery bridge)  whereas the steel (magnetizable) rod advanced backwardly.  When the same system is setup vertically, however, and the transversal rod is  suspended on a balance (without rolling), no retrograde behavior is observed for the  steel rod. Both, aluminum and steel rods, moved in the forward (expected) direction.  The conclusion is that rolling of the steel rod is essential to observe its retrograde  motion. A discussion is given in search for explanations of the observed effects.

[[Category:Scientific Paper|experimental test normal retrograde railgun accelerators]]