In a rail gun, clearly the force on the movable member is reflected elsewhere in the circuit, either as a longitudinal force on the rail, or on what bridges the other end of the circuit (generally the battery, which of course would have a force on it either way).
Is there considered to be a final word on if a longitudinal force is felt by the rails as a recoil? (and hence by the charge moving in the rail)
In other words are the forces at 90 degrees to the conductor, or not?
Here is an experiment that should answer the question, I think a form of this hairpin experiment has been preformed before.
------------------------------
*---------------------------
B I
A Inner assembly moves as one I
T *---------------------------
------------------------------ stationary outer rails
Legend: - rail * contact point between both rails I transverse section that if this were a rail gun would be bullet
If a longitudinal recoil force is placed on the rails the inner assembly should barely move, otherwise it should move as with a normal rail gun and experience almost equal force.
Can anyone save me from preforming this experiment?
