Magnetic Linear Accelerator

PIRA: 5H20.30

Materials: Magnets, Steel Balls, Magnetic Ball Track

This demo is to show how magnetic potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy. This demo is done by setting up two balls on the back end of each magnet, then sending the first ball down the ramp. As the ball approaches the magnet, it accelerates toward the magnet due to the magnetic force acting on it. In a series of collisions, the first ball comes to a stop and transfers its kinetic energy to the second ball. This ball then approaches the second magnet at a higher velocity than the first. This interaction happens several times along the track in a chain reaction, eventually sending the final ball at a much higher velocity than the original.