Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son has built a Gauss rifle. He is going to test 2 different types of magnets to see which will go cause the ball to go farther. I'm not good at this, so can someone give me some "real world" applications where the results of this reseach can be useful in the real world? I read that magnets are used in electronics, but I'm having trouble thinking of how this can be used.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Due 12/7.

Hello momhelpingout,

Magnets indeed are used in many devices. They latch cabinet doors. They sense whether a door is closed or open and relay that information to an alarm system. They are a crucial part of many electric motors, and of course, they make compasses work.

I don't know of any "real world" applications of the gauss rifle, but if he studies it enough to understand how it works, then he will have gained a valuable feel for how magnetic devices work.