YouTube user “ZiggyZee” built a functional electric railgun – uses current to generate extreme magnetic fields that propel a conductive projectile to high speeds – and decided to test it on camera. “This was a fairly successful test- the clamps blew off 15 milliseconds AFTER the projectile had left the device. Further advances in the projectile design will allow more energy to be transmitted to the projectile. The kinetic energy is solely derived from electromagnetism-the CO2 is not great enough to overcome the friction of the rails! It is meant as a means of preventing intense heat and spot welding/rail erosion. There are 56 x 480 joule capacitors making up the power supply for a total weight of 200 lbs and 27,000 joules at 400 volts (20,500 at 350v). The railgun itself weights 50lbs,” said Zee. Click here to view the first image in today’s viral picture gallery. Continue reading for the five most popular viral videos today, including one showing mind-blowing footage of the IHOP sinkhole.
