File β†’ Print β†’ Paper: A4 β†’ Margins: Minimum β†’ ⚠️ "Background graphics" 체크!

✏️ Click any text to edit β€” auto-saves!  
πŸ“‹ A4 2μž₯을 μ’Œβ†’μš°λ‘œ λ‚˜λž€νžˆ 뢙이면 A3 ν¬μŠ€ν„° μ™„μ„±!

🧲 GAUSS RIFLE: Magnetic Accelerator

"How does the number of magnetic stages affect the travel distance of a steel ball?"

Name: Jaeha Jay Hwang Tutor Group: 6C/6LL Year 6 Β· NLCS Jeju Date: March 2026

πŸ”Ž Inquiry Question & Hypothesis

Research Question

How does the number of magnetic acceleration stages affect the travel distance of a steel ball?

Hypothesis

"If the number of stages increases, then the travel distance will also increase, because each magnet adds new magnetic potential energy to the ball."

How It Works

When a steel ball rolls toward a magnet, magnetic potential energy converts to kinetic energy. The ball accelerates, hits the magnet, and transfers energy to the ball on the other side. That ball escapes because it's farther from the magnet (weaker pull).

βšͺ β†’ 🧲 βšͺβšͺ ➜ πŸ’¨
Each magnet stage adds energy β†’ ball gets faster!
Independent variable: Number of stages (1–5) Β· Dependent variable: Travel distance (cm) Β· Controlled: Magnet type, ball size, track, release method

πŸ“Š Results

Data Table β€” Travel Distance (cm)

Stages Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Average
1284279285292278283.70
2338353346336344343.50
3361361367350351357.90
4379376386377373378.20
5412398401389396396.90

πŸ”§ Method

Materials

Neodymium magnets (10mm, Γ—30) Β· Steel balls (10mm, Γ—20) Β· Cardboard (A3) Β· Cable trunking (track) Β· Strong wood glue Β· Measuring tape Β· Safety goggles

Procedure

  1. Build track on foamex base using cable trunking
  2. Place magnet pillar + 2 balls on launch side per stage
  3. Put on safety goggles
  4. Release one ball at the start β€” don't push!
  5. Measure distance from track end to where ball stops (cm)
  6. Repeat 5 times for each stage count (1β†’5 stages)

Fair Test

βœ“ Same start point βœ“ Release only βœ“ 5 repeats βœ“ Same magnets & balls
Gauss rifle setup Measuring distance Close-up of device

πŸ’­ Reflection

Conclusion

β€” My hypothesis was that as there were more stages the speed of the steel ball gets faster and travels more. Because the data shows that as there were more stages, it travelled more, and the average distance travelled by the steel ball went up.

What I Learned

  • More stages mean more kinetic energy.
  • We can see that we can launch steel balls with magnets.
  • More kinetic energy means the object that has it travels further.

Further Research

  • What happens with different ball sizes?
  • Can we measure speed, not just distance?
  • Is there a maximum number of useful stages?