A railgun is a weapon or device that uses electromagnetic force to launch high-velocity projectiles without the use of explosive propellants. It works by using a pair of parallel conductive rails connected to a power supply, between which a conductive projectile (called an armature) is placed. When electric current flows through one rail, across the armature, and back along the other rail, it creates a magnetic field. The interaction between the current and the magnetic field generates a Lorentz force that accelerates the projectile along the rails and out of the barrel at extremely high speeds, often exceeding those of traditional firearms. The railgun operates on the principles of electromagnetism, similar to an electric motor but without the need for additional magnets or propellants. The forces produced can launch projectiles at velocities beyond Mach 8 (over 3 km/s), which results in a projectile with high kinetic energy capable of causing significant damage through impact alone. This technology bypasses the need for explosives, relying purely on kinetic energy and electromagnetic acceleration.
