A rail gun used 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 m and electrical resistance R rests on parellel horizontal rails (that have negligible electric resistance) which are distance L apart as shown in figure 1. The rails are also connected to a voltage source delta V, so a current loop is formed. The vertical magnetic field, initially zero, is slowly increased. When the field strength reaches the value B0, the rod, which was intially at rest, begins to move. Assume that the rod has a slightly flattened bottom so that it slides instead of rolling. Use g for the magnitude of all the free fall acceleration. (A) find the coefficient of static friction between the rod and the rails.
A rail gun used
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