Electromagnetic Ring Launcher :-

Electromagnetism is a cool (and useful) natural phenomenon. Electric current, which is the flow of
electrons, creates its own magnetic field when in a closed loop. In conjunction with other magnets
or other current-induced magnetic fields, you can use electromagnetism to power electric motors
or launch a non-magnetic ring into the sky!
An Elihu Thomson apparatus, also known as a ring launcher, is named for the engineer and inventor
Elihu Thomson who studied alternating current. A ring launcher has a coil wound around an iron
center. The coil is charged with current until it launches the ring into the air.
Problem: What material will a ring launcher toss highest?
Materials
Elihu Thomson apparatus (aka ring launcher)
Copper ring
Aluminum ring
Split aluminum ring
Lead ring
Copper collar
Freezer
Liquid nitrogen (optional)
Tongs (needed if you use liquid nitrogen)
Safety: Wear eye goggles. Make sure no one and nothing will be hit by flying rings. Take caution when dealing with the
ring launcher and rings, as they may get hot. Also be sure to be careful when dealing with freezing rings.
Procedure
1. Pick a ring to test.
2. Slide the ring onto the ring launcher over the coil.
3. Apply current to the ring by switching the launcher on.
4. Record your observations.

5. Freeze the rings overnight. Repeat steps 1-4. Be sure the ceilings have high clearances. Better yet, get an extension
cord and perform this part of the experiment outside.
6. Using the tongs, submerge the rings in liquid nitrogen.
7. Using the tongs to handle the rings, repeat steps 1-4. Do not use your bare hands to handle rings frozen with liquid
nitrogen.
Results
The copper ring will be tossed the highest, followed by the aluminum ring. The copper collar will
lift slightly, but will not be launched. The split rings will not move.
Frozen rings will be thrown much farther than room-temperature rings.
Why?
Closed loops that carry current produce their own magnetic fields. The alternating (direction-
changing) electric current from the power outlet in the wall charges the core, which then creates
a magnetic field. The magnetic field then induces a current in the closed rings, which then create
their own magnetic fields. When the magnet fields repel each other, the ring is launched. The
split rings do not carry enough current to and do not create a magnetic field that is equally
distributed around the ring.
Cooper launches the highest because it is the best conductor of electricity. The larger the change
in the magnetic flux, the greater is the force that tosses the ring. Aluminum is the next best
conductor, followed by lead.
Similarly, frozen rings experience a very large change in magnetic flux when they are suddenly
heated with induced current, causing them to fly much higher than they typically do at room
temperature.